# Rudy

/ˈɹudi/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rudy
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. Jamaican subculture

noun · CEFR C2 · British English · Slang · Archaic

a 'rude boy'; a member of a Jamaican youth subculture from the 1960s known for sharp clothes and ska music.

For teachers: a member of the 'rude boy' subculture originating in 1960s Jamaica, characterized by sharp dress and an association with ska and rocksteady music.

- The old photos showed a group of rudies dancing to ska music in Kingston.
- The fashion of the early rudy was heavily influenced by American jazz musicians and gangster films, featuring sharp suits and pork pie hats.

Usage: Often used in the plural 'rudies' when referring to the subculture as a whole.

### 2. acrobatic maneuver

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific move in gymnastics or diving that involves two and a half twists.

For teachers: a technical acrobatic maneuver consisting of a front somersault with two and a half twists.

- The gymnast performed a perfect rudy during her floor routine.
- Executing a rudy requires exceptional spatial awareness to complete the two and a half rotations before landing safely on the trampoline.

Usage: Commonly used in trampolining, diving, and freestyle skiing.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.