Yo

What does yo mean?

Hey

In English slang, yo most often means "hi" or "hey." This now-common interjection has its origins in 1930s and 40s Philadelphia, where it was popularized by the city's Italian-American community.

Yo was eventually made famous by fictional Philadelphian Rocky Balboa, as well as its regular use in hip-hop music. As a result, yo is now a common part of the American English vernacular, and it is used by kids, teens, and adults alike to greet someone or grab their attention.

In some contexts, yo means "your" instead of "hey." For example, when used in "yo mama" jokes, yo means "your."

Example

Yo! What's up, man?

Sup dawg?

Related Slang

Categories

Updated January 4, 2021

yo definition by Slang.net

This page explains what the slang term "yo" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know!