Black Slang & Its Origins
Where did common Black slang terms come from?
Where did common Black slang terms come from?
This term, meaning to relax or take it easy, originated from African American Vernacular English
What is "chill"?
This handshake, developed by Black soldiers during the Vietnam War as a secret code of solidarity, became widely used in the Black Power Movement.
What is "the dap"?
This genre, created in the South in the late 1800s, combined work songs, spirituals, and African rhythms to express struggle and resilience.
What is "the Blues"?
This tradition of deep cleaning the home before the new year started as a West African practice to clear out bad spirits.
What is "New Year's Eve Cleaning"?
This phrase, made famous by James Brown in 1968, became a rallying cry for Black pride.
What is "Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud"?
Originally a jazz term in the early 1900s, this word was used to describe someone stylish and later came to mean anything excellent or impressive.
What is "cool"?
A nonverbal way Black men acknowledge each other without speaking, this head movement dates back to the Jim Crow era when eye contact was considered dangerous.
What is "the head nod"?
This popular dance move was developed by Black dancers in Harlem in the 1920s before Michael Jackson made it famous.
What is "the moonwalk"?
This post-funeral meal is a longstanding Black tradition rooted in Southern hospitality and community support.
What is "the repast"?
This movement, created by three Black women in 2013, sparked global protests against police brutality.
What is "Black Lives Matter"?
his slang for money comes from the idea that bread is essential for survival—dating back to Black communities in the early 20th century
What is "bread"?
This iconic greeting, popularized in the 1960s, combines a handshake with snaps or a smooth slide. It was an act of cultural affirmation.
What is "the soul handshake" (or "Black handshake")?
The rhythmic call-and-response in Black church services comes from West African griot traditions.
What is "Black gospel music"?
This holiday, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to honor African heritage.
What is "Kwanzaa"?
This phrase, meaning to stay aware of injustice, was popularized in Black communities before going mainstream.
What is "Stay Woke"?
This phrase, meaning to deceive or lie, originated from the 1940s and was popularized in hip-hop.
What is "cap" (as in "no cap")?
This simple yet powerful symbol of resistance was first seen on a global stage during the 1968 Olympics.
What is "the Black Power fist"?
This high-energy street dance, which involves rapid arm movements, originated from 1980s Black youth in Los Angeles.
What is "krumping"?
This tradition, where Black families wear their “Sunday Best” to church, began during segregation as a way to assert dignity and self-respect.
What is "dressing up for church"?
Enslaved Africans created this phrase to encourage secret teaching among themselves. It was later used in the Civil Rights Movement.
What is "Each one, teach one"?
This phrase, used to describe intense work, originated from enslaved Africans who often had to labor "until the cows come home."
What is "grind" (or "on my grind")?
This greeting, involving a light fist bump, is believed to have originated from Black boxing culture in the 1970s before spreading into hip-hop and sports.
What is "the fist bump"?
This rhythmic clapping game, often played by Black children, traces its origins to enslaved Africans who used body percussion after drums were banned.
What is "patty cake" or "hambone"?
Black storytelling traditions trace back to African griots, who preserved history through spoken word. This tradition was carried over through slavery and into Black communities today.
What is "oral storytelling"?
Malcolm X famously said Black people should achieve justice “_____.
What is "by any means necessary"?