Most of these come from the book from Juba to the Jive
Gullah & Early AAVE (Enslaved & Post-Emancipation)
Afeared – (1650s-1890s) Scared; afraid. A retention of Old English, preserved in Gullah and coastal AAVE.
Bimeby – (1700s-1920s) Before long; soon. A corruption of "by and by," originating in pidgin and Creole.
Cootie – (1650s-1990s) A body louse. From West African kuta (turtle) or nkuda (Kongo), applied to the insect's shape.
Cudjo / Cuffee / Cuffy – (1620s-1890s) Day names for African males (e.g., Kofi for Friday). Used as forms of address among the enslaved.
Hag – (1620s-1890s) An evil spirit or skinless ghost from Gullah lore, said to ride sleeping people.
Haint – (1690s-1940s) A ghost, spirit, or disembodied presence. A corruption of "haunt."
Juba – (1790s-1900s) A plantation dance rhythmically slapping hands, knees, and thighs. Also a day name for a girl born on Monday.
Massa – (1650s-1860s) Enslaved person's term for the white slaveholder. From Mandingo mande, masa ("chief").
Plat-eye – (1760s-1940s) A terrifying female ghost, strong as an animal, that scratches at doors. From Bantu platatayi.
Patteroller – (1700s-1860s) A slave-catcher or patroller who hunted runaways; a predecessor to the Klan.
Jazz, Blues & Mid-Century (1920s–1960s)
Ace – (1940s-1990s) One's best friend. Short for "ace boon coon," from card-playing.
Apple – (1930s-1960s) New York City. "Big Apple" was first used by jazz musicians; Harlem was the "stem."
Blow – (1920s-1950s) To play an instrument with skill; to speak well; to leave. Extended to "blow a typewriter" (to write).
Bone – (1900s-1930s) A trombone. Later (1960s-1990s) shifted to mean the penis.
Bread – (1930s-1960s) Money, as a basic survival necessity.
Break It Up – (1930s-1940s) To earn great applause; to stop the show. Also, to explode with laughter.
Chicken Shack – (1940s-1960s) A low-priced restaurant or diner serving soul food.
Chill / Chilling – (1980s-1990s) Relaxing, cooling it. "Chill out" means to desist or be calm.
Chopper – (1940s-1990s) A machine gun or automatic weapon; later, a helicopter.
Chump – (1950s-1960s) A square, victim, or dupe. "Chump change" is a small amount of money.
Down – (1950s-1970s) A word of approval; excellent; brave; hip. "Down with" means in agreement.
Drag – (1930s-1980s) A bore; a dull person. Also, feminine attire worn by a male (from the 1940s).
Gig – (1700s-1960s) A jazzman's job; later, any job. Also a trick, tease, or child's pacifier.
Gravy – (1940s-1990s) Money or the power it generates. In the 1980s, shifted to mean heroin.
Hawk – (1930s-1990s) The biting, cold winter wind, especially in Chicago. Extended to mean to sell goods aggressively.
Hipster – (1930s-1940s) A hip, knowledgeable person. Dropped by black speakers by the late 1940s, adopted by white beatniks.
Homeboy – (1930s-1990s) A male from one's own town or neighborhood, especially the South.
Hoochie – (1880s-1930s) A very erotic dance; a conjure "doctor." Later revived as "hoochie mama."
Hump – (1950s-1990s) A difficulty; to perform sexual intercourse.
Mack / Macking – (1900s-1990s) Pimping; to use slick, flirtatious talk. "Mack on" means aggressive seduction.
Mellow – (1930s-1970s) Gentle, sincere, satisfying; cool. Also, a best or closest friend.
Mug – (1940s) The human face. Extended to "mug shot" and "mugging" (making faces).
Nod – (1930s-1990s) The stupor of a person high on heroin. "On the nod" means drifting in and out.
Pad – (1800s-1990s) One's home, room, or bed.
Rag – (1800s-1990s) A sanitary napkin. "On the rag" means menstruating. Also, a newspaper.
Roach – (1930s-1960s) The butt end of a marijuana cigarette. "Roach clip" holds it.
Satch / Satchel-mouth – (1900s-1940s) A person with a very large mouth. "Satchmo" (Louis Armstrong) is a corruption.
Scrub – (1580s-1990s) A contemptible, mediocre, or untalented person.
Shade – (1850s-1900s) A Black person (from derogatory white use, used ironically). Later, in ballroom, a subtle insult.
Skins – (1930s-1970s) Drums or drumheads. "Skin-beater" is a drummer.
Square – (1900s-1990s) A conventional, unenlightened person; not "hip."
Stash – (1920s-1990s) To hide something (especially drugs); also, the hidden supply itself.
Stud – (1900s-1970s) Any hip male. Also, a lesbian (1940s-1950s).
Trip / Tripping – (1960s-1990s) To be passionately involved; high on drugs; saying inappropriate things.
Uptight – (1950s-1970s) In early jazz, a good feeling or good sex. Later, short on cash, then mentally anxious.
Viper – (1930s-1940s) A marijuana smoker or dealer, from the hissing sound of inhaling.
Wail – (1950s-1970s) A beautiful musical performance. "Wail on" means to fight someone.
Wig – (1930s-1960s) Natural hair that has been processed; also, one's mentality. "Blow your wig" means to get excited.
Woodshed – (1930s-1970s) To practice an instrument in private (literally or figuratively).
Yardbird – (1930s-1940s) An unpolished musician; later, Charlie Parker's nickname.
1970s–1990s (Pre-Internet & Early Hip-Hop)
B-girl / B-boy – (1980s-1990s) A breakdancer or hip-hop head. The "B" stands for "break" (breakbeat).
Crew – (1980s-1990s) A group of young people forming a loosely knit gang or social unit.
Dope – (1900s-1990s) Heroin or any narcotic. The positive meaning ("that's dope!") came later.
Duckets / Ducats – (1990s) Money; a ticket or admission. From Italian ducato (a coin), via theater slang.
Fade – (1940s-1990s) A haircut that gradually becomes shorter; also, to leave quietly or disappear.
Gangsta – (1950s-1990s) A gang member; a criminal. "Gangsta rap" emerged in the late 1980s.
Gat – (1900s-1990s) A handgun. Short for "Gatling gun."
Hype – (1960s-1990s) Deception; a phony scheme; an addict (from "hypodermic"). Also, extravagant promotion.
Ice – (1950s-1990s) Diamonds or expensive jewelry.
Ill – (1980s-1990s) Excellent, cool, or extreme. "Illin'" means suffering from severe stress.
Kick it – (1900s-1990s) To play music; to relax; to hang out.
Knowledge / Acknowledge – (1920s) "He's got the acknowledge" means he has the info or skills.
Loot – (1930s-1940s) Money or cash.
Main squeeze – (1960s) One's favorite lover or girlfriend.
Man – (1900s-1990s) A form of address carrying respect, counteracting whites calling Black males "boy."
Mobb / Mobbed up – (1990s) A group of friends or a crew. "Mobb Deep."
Murphy – (1940s-1960s) A confidence game where the victim is promised sex and is robbed.
Ofay – (1800s-1950s) A white person. Possibly from West African bama fe or Pig Latin for "foe."
Phat – (1990s) Cool, excellent. A backronym ("Pretty Hot And Tempting") on the AAVE word "fat" (wealthy).
Piece – (1900s-1980s) A pistol or handgun. Also, a musical instrument or an ounce of heroin.
Pump – (1970s-1990s) A machine gun or shotgun requiring a pumping action.
Punk – (1940s-1990s) A weak, cowardly, or effeminate male; a prison submissive.
Rap – (1730s-1990s) To converse; a lyrical, rhyming monologue. The musical form emerged in the 1970s Bronx.
Rep / Reps – (1950s-1990s) One's reputation. Also, repetitions in exercise.
Ride – (1950s-1990s) A car. "That's a bad ride." Also, to drive.
Rollin' / On a roll – (1900s-1990s) Having a streak of success; moving with confidence.
Shorty – (1930s-1990s) A young person, especially a girl. Also, an automobile.
Sista – (1940s-1990s) A term of address for a Black woman, expressing cultural solidarity.
Soul – (1930s-1990s) Black authenticity; deep racial feeling; the essence of Black culture.
Stone – (1940s-1990s) An intensifier: "stone fox," "stone cold."
Tight – (1920s-1990s) Close friends. Also, well-dressed, attractive, or excellent.
Trick – (1900s-1990s) A prostitute's customer; a "John." "Turn a trick" means to perform sex work.
Twenty-four-seven – (1980s-1990s) All the time; constantly. From 24-hour convenience stores.
Word is bond – (1980s-1990s) "I'm telling the truth." From Nation of Islam teachings.
2000s–Present (Internet, Ballroom, & Social Media)
Beat – (1960s-1990s) Ugly ("beat with an ugly stick"). In ballroom/drag, inverted to mean makeup applied flawlessly.
Bougie – (1950s-1990s) Short for "bourgeois." Derogatory for middle-class, pretentious Black people.
Chile – (1970s-1990s) A phonetic spelling of "child," used as a term of endearment or exclamation (like "girl").
Clout – (1990s-2000s) Influence, power, or fame, especially on social media. "Clout chaser."
Crusty – (1990s-2000s) Unattractive, out of style, or unhygienic.
Deadass – (1990s-2010s) Serious; telling the truth. "Deadass?" means "Are you serious?" Originated in New York AAVE.
Glow up – (1990s-2010s) A dramatic, positive transformation, especially in appearance.
Hits different – (2010s) When something is experienced in a new, more profound, or more emotional way.
Hood – (1960s-1990s) One's neighborhood, especially a ghetto or gang territory. "Hood rat" is derogatory.
Mood – (2010s) An expression of relatability. "That's a mood."
Receipts – (2010s) Proof or evidence, especially to back up an accusation or show hypocrisy.
Ratio – (2010s) To have more replies (especially negative) than likes or retweets. "Ratio'd" means defeated online.
Salty – (1930s-1970s) Irritated or angry. Revived in 2010s internet slang.
Send – (1900s-1950s) To arouse emotionally. In ballroom/drag, "she sends" means an outstanding performance.
Stan – (2000s) An obsessive fan. From Eminem's 2000 song "Stan."
Tea – (1990s-2000s) Gossip or personal information. "That's the tea." From drag culture's "T" (truth).
Unc / Uncle – (1750s-1990s) An elderly Black male; a familiar term for any older man.
Valid – (2010s) Authentic, legitimate, or worthy of respect. "That's valid" means "I agree."
Vibe / Vibing – (1960s-1990s) Feelings or a harmonious connection. "Vibe check" assesses the mood.
Yeet – (2010s) An exclamation of excitement, approval, or to throw something forcefully.
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