Meaning
A friendly term of address for a friend, pal, or associate — 'wah gwaan, chargie?' means 'what's up, pal?'. It hails someone with easy camaraderie, and it belongs especially to dancehall-era street speech among men, marking the person addressed as one of your own. Like 'bredda', 'yute', and 'spar', it is one of the many warm, informal ways Jamaican men greet and name their companions, carrying a note of fellowship and mutual regard in a single word.
Examples
-
Wah gwaan, chargie?
What's up, pal?
-
Mi chargie deh pon di corner.
My pal is on the corner.
-
Respect, chargie, walk good.
Respect, my friend, take care.
Origin
A term of address of dancehall-era street culture (possibly from 'charge'/'in charge'); a casual word for a friend or associate.
How it’s used
A friendly hail for a pal, like 'bredda' or 'star'. Common among men. Compare 'cumbolo', 'yush'.