ting

Ting is British and Caribbean slang for “thing.” In London slang it can also mean an event or gathering, and sometimes an attractive girl, though that last use can come across as objectifying.

What does ting mean?

At its simplest, ting is just “thing,” said the way it often sounds in Jamaican Patois and London speech. That makes it incredibly flexible:

• A thing or object: “Pass me that ting.”
• A situation: “It’s a whole ting now.”
• An event: “We’re having a little birthday ting on Saturday.”
• A girl someone fancies: “Who’s that ting?” This one is common in music and street slang, but plenty of people find it disrespectful.

How to use it

• “Bring the speaker, we’re doing a ting at the park.”
• “I don’t even know what this ting is supposed to do.”
• “Forget it, it’s not that deep. Small ting.”
• “She said it was a whole ting with her ex.”

Where it comes from

Ting comes from Jamaican Patois, where “th” sounds often become “t,” so “thing” becomes “ting.” It moved into London slang through Caribbean communities and is now a staple of Multicultural London English, grime and UK rap. A viral 2017 comedy track by the character Big Shaq made the word familiar to people far outside the UK.

Related terms

• peng: attractive or really good (as in “peng ting”)
• bruv: brother, mate
• mandem: your group of guy friends
• innit: “isn’t it”
• roadman: a young guy into street culture

See more terms like this in our British slang dictionary.