African American Vernacular English: English Vocabulary List

(African American) to agree with, approve of, or accept something

"I am down with going to the park later."

"The cool teenager said he was down with going to the concert because he loved the band."

(African American) from the very beginning

"He told me the truth off the rip."

"The comedian made the audience laugh off the rip with his very first joke of the night."

(African American) lively, active, or full of excitement

"The party was on and popping until 3 AM."

"The party was on and popping with loud music dancing and people having a great time."

(African American) a saying that people of African descent tend to show fewer wrinkles or signs of aging

"My grandma says black don't crack."

"Even though she's over fifty years old, my aunt still looks incredibly young, which just proves that good black don't crack."

(African American) a gun or firearm

"He showed a blammer."

"The suspect was apprehended with a loaded blammer in his waistband."

(African American) a gun or firearm

"She hid the blammy."

"The police found a hidden blammy in the suspect's vehicle during the search."

(African American) a blunt, or marijuana cigarette

"He smoked a bleezy."

"They passed around a bleezy after the concert to relax."

(African American) pretentiously upscale yet streetwise or rough

"Her outfit is boughetto."

"Her designer handbag paired with ripped jeans gave her a distinctly boughetto vibe."

(African American) muscular and physically strong

"He looks brolic."

"The football player was incredibly brolic, easily overpowering his opponents on the field."

(African American) to start shooting, often suddenly or aggressively

"He will bust off."

"The tense situation escalated quickly when one of the men decided to bust off."

(African American) to talk casually, often to catch up or have a friendly discussion

"We sat on the porch and chopped it up for an hour."

"The two old friends sat on the porch to chop it up and talk about old times."

(African American) a close friend

"He is my cuddy."

"I can always count on my cuddy to have my back no matter what."

(African American) a cousin, sometimes used loosely for a close friend like family

"He greeted his cuzzo on the street."

"He greeted his cousin with a hug and said what's up cuzzo how have you been?"

(African American) to stop, reject, or put an end to something

"We dead this."

"The committee decided to dead the controversial proposal due to widespread public opposition."

(African American) used to say goodbye, often with a casual or playful tone; associated with the peace sign

"Deuces! Peace out. I am leaving now."

"Deuces! Peace out. I am leaving now because I have to go, and I will see you later."

(African American) to insult, attack, or verbally abuse someone

"Do not dog out your friends."

"Do not dog out your friends by talking badly about them behind their backs."

(African American) to party or celebrate in a big or wild way

"They really did it up for their anniversary."

"The graduates decided to do it up big by renting a limousine for their prom night."

(African American) to rob, intimidate, or bully someone, often through aggression or threat

"Do not front on me like that."

"Do not front on me like you do not know what I am talking about because I saw you there."

(African American) to misunderstand, misinterpret, or be mistaken about something

"Don't get it twisted, I'm serious."

"You really need to get that twisted idea out of your head because I never said I was going to lend you any money."

(African American) something excellent, high-quality, or especially satisfying

"This is good-good."

"She described the meal as absolutely good-good, the best she had ever tasted."

(African American) hostility, dislike, or animosity directed toward someone, often without good reason

"The comment was full of hateration."

"The celebrity ignored the hateration on social media and focused on her supportive fans."

(African American) used to tell someone to remain calm, quiet, or composed, often in response to excitement

"Please hold it down right now."

"When the crowd started getting too loud and rowdy, the security guard stepped in and told everyone to hold it down."

(African American) to hang out, spend time, or associate with someone casually

"I kick with my old crew."

"I like to kick with my old college buddies whenever I am back in town visiting my family."

(African American) used to emphasize honesty or truthfulness

"No kizzy! I am not lying to you."

"No kizzy! I am not lying to you. I swear on everything that I love I am telling the truth."

(African American) to perform impressively, handle a task skillfully, or do something correctly and with excellence

"She really put it down tonight."

"The DJ put it down at the party last weekend, playing such incredible music that everyone danced until three in the morning."

(African American) to support, protect, or have someone's back wholeheartedly

"I ride for my family always."

"The loyal gang member said he would ride for his brothers until the very end no matter what happened."

(African American) to earn, accumulate, or increase money or other valuables quickly

"Let's run it up."

"The entrepreneur worked tirelessly to run it up, aiming to achieve financial success rapidly."

(African American) a girl or woman

"Shawty looks great today."

"Shawty is the most attractive person at the party tonight."

(African American) to be authentic, honest, or true to oneself

"I am just trying to keep it one hundred with you."

"My best friend always keeps it one hundred with me and never hides the truth even when it hurts."

(African American) to plagiarize, copy, or imitate someone's style, moves, or work

"Don't bite my style."

"The young artist accused the established musician of trying to bite his unique sound."

(African American) used to express disbelief, annoyance, or dismissal, often in a sarcastic or exaggerated way

"Bye, I don't believe you."

"When he claimed he saw a unicorn, she just rolled her eyes and said, 'Bye.'"

(African American) to like, enjoy, approve of, or support someone or something

"I don't mess with that."

"Many people don't mess with the new policy due to its strict regulations."