Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Jamaica A Jamaican.
  • noun chiefly UK a member of a Afro-Caribbean gang who engages in organized crime, especially drug trafficking

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Yard +‎ -ie

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Examples

  • The British pulp classic Yardie is a prime example.

    July 2007 2007

  • The British pulp classic Yardie is a prime example.

    Yada, Yada, Yada: The Role of Dialogue 2007

  • He said the name Yardie, slang for a Jamaican gangster, was given to him because he would often tell people he would be at his "yard".

    Express & Star 2008

  • The 34-year-old, known as Yardie, had acquired assets worth up to £1 million and was jailed for 13 years in December.

    Express & Star 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo,

    unknown title 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo,

    ITN Headlines 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo,

    ITN Headlines 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo,

    unknown title 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo,

    The Guardian World News 2009

  • Also in the dock were Narada Williams, 27, also known as "Yardie" and his brother Ricardo, 26,

    unknown title 2009

Comments

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  • This from the examples smacks of folk etymology, though is plausible:

    He said the name Yardie, slang for a Jamaican gangster, was given to him because he would often tell people he would be at his "yard".

    Express & Star

    March 28, 2016

  • Nuanced alternative from Wikipedia:

    Within the Caribbean community, new arrivals from Jamaica were sometimes referred to as "Yardies" due to reference of Jamaica as "back a yard".

    March 28, 2016