Galdem

Galdem (noun / UK slang / MLE)

(Also heard as: The galdem, Galdem crew, All the galdem)

Definition: A group of girls, female mates, or women. The direct female version of mandem.

Pronunciation: /ˈɡæl.dɛm/

Where It Comes From: Comes straight from Jamaican Patois, where tacking dem onto a word turns it into a plural. London’s Caribbean communities brought it over, and through early 2000s grime tracks, pirate radio sets, and school corridors across London, it locked into Multicultural London English (MLE) before spreading across the rest of the UK.

How People Actually Use It: It’s how you refer to your girl group or a gathering of women. Girls use it when planning a big night out, getting ready for bottomless brunch, or hyping up their mates in the comments. Lads will also use it when talking about who’s heading to a house party or seeing a group of girls out in town.

Examples in the Wild:

• “Out with the galdem tonight for Sarah’s birthday.”

  Translation: Heading into town with the girls to celebrate.

• “The whole galdem looked unreal at the wedding.”

  Translation: All the women in our group looked fantastic.

• “Is it just us lot going, or are the galdem coming too?”

  Translation: Are the girls joining us, or is it just the lads?

Similar Slang: Mandem (male equivalent), Girl squad, Gyaldem, The girls, Crew, Mob