What it means
Your mandem is your tight group of mates, usually the lads, the people you roll with on a night out or just posted on the block. It’s lifted from Jamaican patois man dem, and UK grime and street chat made it mainstream. Can be said jokingly, but it still signals crew loyalty.
Usage examples
"I’m meeting the mandem by the chicken shop after work, then we’re cutting through to the rave. If you’re about, link up."
"Linking up with the mandem later for a kickabout in the park, then we will grab food after if it stays dry."
"The mandem are outside already, hurry up or we're missing the motive."
"Asked if I was rolling solo and I said nah, the mandem are coming through in ten."
Where it comes from
Mandem comes from Jamaican Patois man dem, meaning the men or those guys. It moved into London speech through Caribbean communities, then grime, drill, UK rap, and street chat gave it rocket fuel. In UK slang now, it usually means your boys, your close circle, the lot you step out with.
Other ways to say it
Editors of this term
Your vote counts
Is this real street talk or have we lost the plot? Cast your vote.
