Meaning
A rebellious, streetwise young man — the defiant urban youth archetype that arose in 1960s Kingston, celebrated and dramatised in ska, rocksteady, and reggae. 'Rude' here means bold, tough, and defiant of authority rather than merely impolite. The female counterpart is a 'rude gyal'.
Examples
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Di rude bwoy dem run di dancehall inna di sixties.
The rude boys ruled the dancehall in the sixties.
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Him style tough like a real rude bwoy.
His style is tough like a real rude boy.
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Plenty ole ska tune sing bout rude bwoy.
Plenty of old ska songs sing about rude boys.
Origin
From 'rude' (bold/defiant) plus 'bwoy' (boy); the Kingston youth subculture of the 1960s that shaped ska and reggae and spread worldwide.
How it’s used
A cultural archetype, often admiring; note 'rude' = tough/defiant, not simply ill-mannered. Female form: 'rude gyal'.