Apogee
The best or the greatest.
AV
An abbreviation for Aerodyne Vehicle, a popular type of jet-powered, flying automobile in Cyberpunk. AVs are usually reserved for the wealthy or the Trauma Team.
Biz
Short for "business," but refers more directly to any kind of job, work, or meeting. In the context of Cyberpunk
Borg
Short for cyborg. It may be used derogatorily to judge those who have undergone numerous cybernetic surgeries or nearly replaced their entire bodies.
Boostergang/Booster
A gang (or a member of a gang) characterized by their extreme territoriality and use of cybernetic implants. This is the most common type of gang in Night City. Boostergangs can consist of just a handful of punks, or they can be a large, organized group like Maelstrom.
Bourgie/Bourgy
A classist insult meaning "low class."
Braindance/BD
A virtual experience that allows the user to relive someone else's memory, including their thoughts, emotions, and pain. Braindance editors, such as Cyberpunk 2077's Judy, can edit raw footage to turn it into a marketable product, usually for entertainment purposes.
Chippin' In
To install cyberware, especially for the first time. Alternately, to hook up to any machine. This is also the name of a single by Johnny Silverhand's band, Samurai.
CHOOH/CHOOH2
An alternative fuel invented by Biotechnica. Can be used interchangeably with certain modern American English uses of "gas" - e.g., "Hit the CHOOH!"
Choom/Choombah
Derived from "choombatta," this is a Neo-African American word of endearment for a friend or family member. It has been appropriated widely by non-Black residents of Night City as a rough synonym for "bro" or "bud."
Chrome
Another word for cyberware. Can also be used as a verb, to describe the action of receiving cybernetic implants.
Corpo
A word for a corporate employee, often used in a derisive way. It's also one of Cyberpunk 2077's branching lifepaths.
Culture Vulture
An entertainment journalist, especially those who profit off of publicizing tragedy.
DataKrash
The near-total collapse of the Net, orchestrated by legendary Netrunner Rache Bartmoss in the early 2020s.
Deckhead
Another word for a Netrunner. So-called for the cybernetic implant in their brain, which lets them enter and hack the Net.
Delta
To leave, usually with haste.
Detes
Short for "details."
Dirty
Analog, low-tech, or outdated. This derogatory label may be applied to items unconnected to the Net, or to anything suspiciously antiquated.
Dock
Sexual intercourse, especially a casual hookup.
Dorph
Endorphins; a synthetic recreational endorphin. Hackers in Night City are known to take Dorphs to boost their performance.
Dorpher/Dorphead
Users of Dorphs who have become reliant on the drug. Dorph gangs are often composed of Dorphers and Dorph pushers.
(The) Edge
The outskirts of society, the wrong side of the track, the darkness on the edge of town. The metaphorical home of Edgerunners in Cyberpunk 2077.
Edgerunner
Someone who lives on the Edge. May be claimed as a badge of honor or even vocation, as in the various fixers, couriers, and mercenaries who can get things done just outside the letter of the law.
Eddies
Short for Eurodollars, Night City's primary currency.
Fixer
A dealmaker, usually in the crime business. Generally the first point of contact in
Flatline
To die or to kill.
Gangoon
A gang member, implied to be low-ranking. Mostly associated with the Valentinos.
Gato
Another word for cool.
Gonk
An idiot or a fool.
Handle
A street name or alter ego, often used to evade identification when working outside the law.
Highrider
A space-dweller. Some such Cyberpunk citizens spend most of their lives in space, working on satellites or as crew on interstellar flights.
Iron
A gun or other weapon.
Jaina
A term of endearment associated with Chicano culture.
Joytoy
A sex worker. Can be gendered as Joyboy or Joygirl.
Kibble
Processed food, especially government rations which resemble dry dog food (because it literally is - Kibble was first created by a dog food manufacturer).
Kibble Card
A ration card. Analogous to food stamps or EBT, many of Night City's poorest are reliant on a deteriorating welfare state which allots them low quality food.
Klep
To steal. From the Greek word of the same meaning, but probably more directly derived from "kleptomania."
Linefoot
A term for a non-Nomad, usually used by Nomads.
Meatspace
The physical world, as opposed to cyberspace.
Netrunner
A specialized, skilled user of the Net. Anyone can use the Net, but Netrunners have augmented themselves to hack into the Net's Menu and traverse cyberspace with grace.
Netpig
A derogatory term for Netwatch, the private police force that monitors the Net since DataKrash.
Nomad
Residents of the Badlands outside Night City, often banned from corpo life. For characters in Cyberpunk 2077, this is a lifepath defined by belonging to a close-knit clan.
Nova
Cool. Derived from Latin for "new." Used similarly to "preem," especially when the subject is something unique or technologically advanced.
Posergang/Poser
A gang (or a member of a gang) that operates with the primary goal of achieving a certain body type or physical appearance. Although they're now one of the most dangerous gangs in Cyberpunk 2077, the Valentinos were originally a posergang.
Preem
Derived from the word premium, this casual term means "cool" or "dope." Used similarly to "nova."
Ripperdoc/Ripper
A cybernetic surgeon. While any doctor specializing in outfitting patients with cyberware could be called a ripperdoc, the term carries a streetwise connotation that often denotes a practitioner who caters to Night City's criminal element.
Rockerboy/Rockergirl
A musician that doubles as an activist, using their talents to lead social movements. Their fans and comrades view them as freedom fighters, but some Corpos opt to call them terrorists.
Samurai
A corporate mercenary. Also the ironic name of Johnny Silverhand's band in Cyberpunk 2077.
SCOP
Single-cell organic protein, a component of synthetic food. Associated with low-quality foodstuffs, it may be used disparagingly, especially when combined with insults as in "scopsucker."
Scratch
Another word for money or eddies.
Screamsheets
Newspapers that are personalized to the consumer's interests, usually digital rather than physical.
Scroll
To edit a braindance.
Shard
Short for "datashard," the primary medium of portable data storage in the Cyberpunk continuity. Basically akin to a flash drive.
Solo
A lone mercenary who takes many short-term gigs for quick cash, as opposed to sticking with one long-term job or corporation.
Trauma
Short for Trauma Team, Night City's heavily-armed squad of medical first responders. Trauma Team clients may be referred to by the type of insurance they've purchased. Those with the most expensive package, Platinum coverage, are guaranteed better service than those with a Silver or Gold package.
Vidiot
A video game or virtual reality addict.
Virtu
An unedited Braindance, in which emotions and sensations are felt fully. Often associated with gray-market BDs showing highly objectionable content.
Weefle
An inexperienced Netrunner.
Zeroed
Killed. This term may be a reference to "zeroing" in tabletop RPGs, when a player character loses all of their hit points.
