Hip-Hop Slang Dictionary of the '90s: A-C

If you weren't around in the '90s or you were completely out of touch with the fresh and the fly people, then you happened to miss out on some of the dopest language ever. The beginning of the hip-hop era brought more than underground beats and chained obsessed rappers; it brought a whole new lingo to the American people. Kids from the inner cities weren't the only ones trippen on this new found language, rural and suburban kids learned these upbeat sayings from MTV, BET, and their school yard friends. Now slang has always been around. Cool Cat and Jive Turkey were only a couple the words used in the 60's and 70's. However, the 90's brought in a new swarm of words, a complete dictionary of Ebonics and coolness that was untouchable. We will explore Fab5 Freddy's slang dictionary. Some of these words, some you may remember, some you may not have a clue about, but they were cool and some of them still are.

Ain't buyin' it: This means that you don't believe a word of it, and you don't accept it, whatever it is. This may be a white kid saying that he grew up in the hood (ghetto) and you ain't buyin it, cuz you don't believe it. Your friend telling you that you that they have Indian in their family and you know that their mama or daddy doesn't look anything like a Native American, then you ain't buyin' it. You don't believe it!

Ain't no thang: This means that it isn't a big deal. You aren't worried about it. If your homeboy comes to you and says that they owe you $5 and you say, "it ain't no thang." Then you have forgiven the debt or you aren't trippen about it.

Ain't havin' it: This means that you are not going to let anyone try to tell you what to do, or you are trying to stop the situation or problem that is happening.

A.K.s': This is an abbreviation for A.K.-47's a very deadly rifle. Many urban city dwellers might brag about having one or about somebody being shot up by one. This rifle statement is definitely an indication of violence, black on black crime, or gang membership.

Ain't all that: This is what somebody would say if they saw somebody who thought that they looked good and they really didn't. For instance, a guy may put gold fronts in his mouth; have on a silk shirt, and snake skin shoes. Now he thinks that he looks good, but everyone around him is saying that he ain't all that.

All the way live: This phrase means that you went to the best party ever, or that something is just so cool that you can't describe as nothing else but "all the way live." This could be a person, a place, a thing.

B-Boy: This was a nickname for completely devoted male fans of hip-hop. They dressed hip-hop; they walked hip-hop, they lived hip-hop. They would break dance, spin records, and participate in rap battles. They wore the big gold chains, had all the new clothing styles and knew all of the latest artists. Some artists that were considered B-Boys were Grandmaster Flash, Dynamite, Phase II. The movie Breakin' is the best movie to see if you want to check out what real B-Boys did back in the day.

Back in the Day: This means the past. Many people will use this expression when referring to what they did as kids or years ago. This is usually a positive perception of the past. For example, back in the day we used to play basketball all day and all night with the homey's on 24^th street.

Back Stabber: This means somebody who turned their back on you. Or someone you trusted and they turned on you. For example, two girls are friends and one girl talks about the other girl in a mean way, such as, "she is so ugly, she thinks she is all that."

Base Head: This means someone who is a drug user. This phrase is usually associated with someone who smokes crack or someone who shoots up heroin.

Bet: This word means Yes! So if one homey suggests to his other homey that they should go down the street and get some philly cheese steaks, the other one will say, "Bet!" to let his homey know that he wants to do the same.

Believe Dat: This means that you are telling the ultimate truth. For example, a man tells his friends that he spent 10 years in prison with hardcore killers, and he ends the statement "Believe Dat!" This means that he is telling the truth.

Benzo: Another word for Mercedes Benz

Biting: This means that you are stealing someone's style. You are a copy cat. You see one girl with a pink leather jacket on, so you go and get you one. Or you copy what someone says in their rhyme (rap) or you use the same beat as someone else.

Blasted: This word has two meanings; one is that you are so high on drugs or alcohol that you are unable to function. Or you are telling someone's business to other people, or your business got told to other people.

Blow: Is another word for cocaine

Boostin: Means to shop lift and then resell the product to others.

Bootleg: Means that you stole a video or rap tape and you are selling it for a small profit on the corner. You have bootleg property.

Buck Wild: Means that you are completely out of control. You are rambunctious and crazy. You might get rowdy at a party or on the street. Your mama might go buck wild on you if you don't make it home before the street lights come on.

Buggin: This means that you are crazy, you are acting irrational.

Bum Rush: Means to enter someone's property without permission or forcibly. Like for a group of thugs to bum rush a party without an invitation.

Bust a Cap: This phrase means to shoot a gun.

Busted: Means arrested by the cops. You got caught doing something you weren't supposed to be doing.

Cali: This is a short name for the state of California.

Caddy: This is a short name for Cadillac.

Cappin': Means to shoot a gun.

Can't hang: Means that you can't handle what's going on around you. If you go to a party and you get tired by 10:00 p.m. then you can't hang with the rest of crowd, you just want to go home and sleep.

Chill: This word means to relax. Someone might say it to someone who is acting "buck wild" or they may say that they are just relaxing.

Chump: This word means a weak person. They are scared, not down to fight.

Clean: This means that you are very well dressed. Your shoes match your shirt, you hat matches your pants. You smell good, you look good.

Cold: Can mean a variety of things. It can mean that you are cool, or something is cool. Somebody is mean or evil, coldhearted. Or something is extreme.

Cold Chillin: Means you are in an ultimate state of relaxation.

Colors: Wearing certain colors, such as, blue and red means that you belong to a gang or affiliated with one.

Cool: A form of approval. It can also mean that you are relaxed.

Cop: Means to go and buy something that you really like.

Cop an attitude: Means to get upset about something.

Crackin': Means that you are being teased in a humorous manner. Usually associated with Yo Mama Jokes.

Crib: This word means home, or house. We are going to the crib.

Cut me some slack: means to give me a break. Let it go. Don't make a big deal out of it. "Hey man cut me some slack!"

Sources
Freddy, Fab5. Fresh Fly Flavor. Stamford, CT: Longmeadow, 1992.