In British slang, the word “mandem” is often used to talk about a group of close male friends, like your crew or your boys. It’s popular in London street culture, grime music, and among young people. Let’s explore what mandem really means, where it comes from, and how to use it naturally in English.
Mandem Meaning
What Does “Mandem” Mean?
The slang word “mandem” is a casual way of saying “my guys,” “my friends,” or “my crew.”
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“Man” = refers to a male (singular)
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“Dem” = Caribbean/West African English for “them”
When put together, “mandem” = “the men (my guys).”
So if someone says:
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“I’m chilling with the mandem,” it means “I’m hanging out with my friends (my boys).”
Important: While it literally refers to men, in modern slang it can also include women in the group, depending on context.
Who Uses the Term “Mandem”?
The word is mostly used in:
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London street slang – among young people, especially in multicultural areas
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Grime, drill, and rap music – artists like Skepta, Stormzy, and Giggs often use it
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British youth culture – casual everyday conversations among friends
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Pop culture & memes – online captions and jokes
It’s not common in American slang, but English learners often see it in UK movies, rap lyrics, and social media.
How to Pronounce “Mandem”
It’s pronounced:
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Mandem → /ˈmæn.dɛm/
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Sounds like: “man-dem”
Simple and easy!
The Origin of Mandem
The slang comes from London’s multicultural communities, especially with influence from Jamaican Patois and West African English.
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In Jamaican Creole, “dem” means them.
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Londoners combined “man” + “dem” to mean my men / my people.
It started in London street talk in the 1990s–2000s and grew popular thanks to UK rap, grime, and drill culture.
Today, it’s a mainstream slang word in the UK and widely recognized worldwide through music.
When and How to Use “Mandem”
You can use “mandem” when talking about your close friends, crew, or squad.
Common Situations
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Hanging out
“Just chilling with the mandem.”
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Music/lyrics
“Rolling deep with the mandem.”
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Social media captions
“Weekend vibes with the mandem 🙌”
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Support & loyalty
“The mandem got my back.”
Example Sentences
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“Mandem, let’s meet at the park later.”
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“He came through with the whole mandem.”
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“The mandem always support me, no matter what.”
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“We were vibing with the mandem at the concert.”
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“The mandem helped me move my stuff to the new flat.”
Similar Slang for Groups of Friends
Here are some slang words similar to mandem:
| Slang Word | Region / Meaning |
|---|---|
| Crew | General slang for a group of friends |
| Squad | Popular in U.S. slang for a friend group |
| Posse | Group of friends, often in rap/hip-hop |
| Bros | Male friends, commonly used in the U.S. |
| Fam | British slang for close friends (like family) |
👉 “Mandem” is very UK-specific, but “squad” or “crew” are closer equivalents in American English.
Mandem in Pop Culture
The word “mandem” has been made popular by:
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UK Grime and Rap Artists
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Stormzy: often references mandem in his tracks
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Skepta & Giggs: use it in grime and drill lyrics
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British TV & Movies
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Characters in shows like Top Boy use the slang naturally
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Internet & Memes
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Social captions like “Friday night with the mandem”
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This shows how mandem is deeply tied to UK street culture and music.
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