Ratchet

A type of lockback folding knife originally from Germany. These are very popular in much of the Africa and much of the Caribbean. Ratchet Knives are often associated with gangs and criminal activity. In Jamaica they were closely linked with "Rude Boy" street culture.
Ratchet Knives are named for the ratcheted blade lock mechanism.

The ratcheted blade lock mechanism keeps the blade from snapping shut on the user's hand even when only partially opened. The ratchet knife is usually unlocked by using a pull ring on the back rather than the more common push buttons or levers of most lock blades.
Both of these features make it less likely for the knife to snap shut across the user's fingers during a struggle.

However the key to the popularity of these knives is mostly due to their extremely low price, wide availability and intimidating ratchet sound on opening.
The most famous brand of ratchet knife is the Okapi. Originally made in Germany for export to German territories in Africa the production of Okapi knives moved to South Africa during the 1980's where it is still a very popular all around knife, especially with local criminals.
The Okapi was also the favored ratchet of Jamaican rude boys who often referred to them as "Three Star Ratchets" due to the three stars inlaid on the handles of many Okapi brand ratchet knives.

"Walking down the road, With your ratchet in your waist, Johnny you're too bad"

-Johnny Too Bad, The Slickers

by teaserpent December 27, 2014

ratchet

The term 'ratchet' has no less than two distinct meanings. As an adjective, it describes a person, usually a woman, or activity, who is out of hand, out of control, generally whack in some way, dirty, ghetto, unattractive, Crucian, or just generally disliked. As a verb, or a direct object ("do tha ratchet, yeah, do tha ratchet..."), the term serves to identify or describe the dance craze--and the movements associated herewith-- of the Ratchet.

A person, usually a woman, who is dirty, ghetto, unattractive, or just generally disliked.
"Man, did you see that chick?!"
"Oh, her? Yeah, man she's ratchet."

by ratchet R us October 3, 2012

Jack reacharound

The feeling experienced of having your time wasted after watching a movie as bad as jack reacher.

Watching jack reacher was a real jack reacharound. That movie was so bad a reacharound would have been better.

by LittleBrittle81 March 15, 2015

ratchit

a really dumb hypocritical and slang word that is used to describe people who act like garbage like the people who came up with the word ratchit

on the news this ratchit dude was convicted of beating his dad senseless with a crowbar at 3 am now he's in jail for the 15th time what a loser

by superiorbreed August 25, 2016

Ratchenvy

A mental feeling of jealousy that occurs when you feel an envy for something that a ratchet possesses.

"Dude look at her purse!"
"I just had the strangest sense of ratchenvy!"
"What the hell?"

by GunSlanger June 7, 2014

ratchetism

The act or practice of being ratchet. Scientists believe it is an unwritten code. Many activities and behaviors can be associated with ratchetism, such as twerking barefoot in the club, or bringing a baby to a house party.

The way of the ratchet is constantly being studied, and much more research is required before ratchetism can fully be understood.

Person #1: What the hell are those girls doing?
Person #2: Ratchetism, my friend. Move along. Nothing to see here.

by AnonymousBoss July 4, 2014

ratchet murray

YOUR RATTY ASS LOOKING LITTLE SISTER WITH FRIZZY HAIR LIKE THAT WEIRD ASS LADY FROM MAGICAL SCHOOL BUS. SHES FRICKING WEIRD AND SHE WEARS THOSE UGLY ASS BLACK CLONKY SNEAKERS WITH HER NIKE PANTS WHATTTT. SHE MAKES FACES TO LOOK LIKE LYDIAS LITTLE RAT DOG SPENCER

OH HOW SPECTACULAR HERE COMES RATCHET MURRAY WITH HER FRIZZY ASS SELF.

by ratchetmurraylover January 25, 2017