“Yout” Meaning, Origin and Examples

Last updated on January 9, 2025 by Isabella Claire

What does Yout mean? You may be familiar with this slang term if you are a fan of the film My Cousin Vinnie. In this film, a New Yorker lawyer travels to Alabama to defend his younger cousin in a bogus murder trial. The word appears in a well-known scene in the movie. If you heard it in the movie or have seen it otherwise and were wondering about this unique term, then your search is over.

Here you will find the meaning, origin, and other meanings of this term if there are any. You will also see some example conversations to help you better understand the term and you will see some alternative words or phrases that can be used in place of this term.

“Yout” Meaning, Origin and Usage

Key Takeaways

  • The slang term “yout” means a shortened version of the word “youth.”
"Yout" Meaning
“Yout” Meaning – Created by 7ESL

Yout Meaning

In slang, “yout” is a shortened version of “youth” and is often used to refer to a young person or a group of young people. It is commonly associated with Caribbean and British slang but has also spread to other cultures through music and popular media.

Key Characteristics:

  • Refers to Young People – Can mean a teenager or someone younger, often in a casual or informal way.
  • Cultural Context – Frequently used in urban slang or by speakers of Jamaican Patois and other dialects.
  • Neutral or Playful Tone – Can be used affectionately, neutrally, or humorously, depending on the context.

Origin of “Yout”

Although it is unclear when the slang term “yout” was first used, the term originated in Jamaica. The people of Jamaica have a way of speaking in their own form of native Creole and in this language when the word youth is said it comes out sounding like “yout” pronounced “yoot.” The term was not used in the states until the late 90s or early 2000s. It is more frequently heard in London, Toronto, and New York City where many people from the West Indies have migrated to.

Usage of this Term

1. Referring to a Young Person

  • Context: Describing a specific young individual casually.
  • Example: “That little yout is always riding his bike around the neighborhood.”

2. Talking About Youth in General

  • Context: Refers to young people as a group.
  • Example: “The youts these days are so good with technology.”

3. In a Mentorship Context

  • Context: Used to describe a younger person being advised or guided.
  • Example: “I’m trying to teach this yout how to stay out of trouble.”

4. In Music or Pop Culture

  • Context: Commonly used in Caribbean or British slang to describe someone in songs or media.
  • Example: “The lyrics talk about how the yout in the streets need more opportunities.”

5. Playful or Humorous Tone

  • Context: Used affectionately to refer to a younger friend or sibling.
  • Example: “Oi, yout, pass me the remote!”

Other Meanings

There are many different definitions available for the slang term “yout, ” and there is not enough time nor room to mention them all here. Some of the other messages include a tree with only its top branches, a portmanteau of the words “you” and “out” meaning to kick someone out, and a word to use to show disagreement.

Related Terms to “Yout”

  • Youth – A young person or the period of being young.
  • Kid – Informal term for a child or young person.
  • Teen – Short for teenager; someone aged 13–19.
  • Youngster – A child or a young individual, often used affectionately.
  • Adolescent – A person going through the transition between childhood and adulthood.
  • Minor – A person under the legal age of adulthood.
  • Juvenile – A young person, often used in legal or formal contexts.
  • Lad – Informal British term for a boy or young man.
  • Chap – Casual term for a boy or young man, often used in the UK.
  • Grom – Slang for a young, inexperienced surfer or skateboarder.
  • Tyke – Informal term for a small child, often playful or affectionate.
  • Youngblood – A term for a young or inexperienced person, often used in communities or organizations.

Other Ways to Say the Term

There are several words or phrases that you can use to replace the slang term “yout” in conversation and convey the same meaning. Some alternate words or phrases that you can use include:

  • Youth
  • Young person
  • Minor

“Yout” Examples

Example Sentences

  • “That yout is always playing football in the park after school.”
  • “The older guys in the neighborhood try to mentor the local yout.”
  • “As a yout, he spent most of his time learning to DJ at community events.”
  • “The movie is about a troubled yout who turns his life around.”
  • “I told the yout to focus on school and avoid bad influences.”
  • “That young yout is already showing so much talent in music.”
  • “The elders are always looking out for the yout in the community.”

Example Conversations

A text conversation between two friends.

  • Friend 1: Have you ever seen the movie My Cousin Vinnie?
  • Friend 2: Yes! I love the scene in the scene from the courtroom where he is talking to the judge.
  • Friend 1: The two youts scene?
  • Friend 2: Yes, that one. “Sorry, your honor. Two Yooouths!” LOL!

An online conversation between two Facebook users.

  • User 1: I find it hard to believe that these two youts pulled off this crime by themselves.
  • User 2: I think you meant two youths.
  • User 1: No, I meant youts. Haven’t you ever seen My Cousin Vinnie?
  • User 2: Lol! So have!
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