Etymology of Rap

[Anita G. Foster]

For more information on rappin'  - "When I first heard the expression
'rappin'' or 'runnin' a rap,' it had a sexual connotation.  The object of
the rap was to 'get a girl's nose open,' or 'get into her pants.'  The
expression was used in other ways, too, as described in Reality 66."


For additional background see pages 210 to 213 in Herbert L. Foster's
"Ribbin', Jivin', and Playin the Dozens:  The Persistent Dilemma In Our
Schools."  published by Herbert L. Foster Associates, Inc. 1990.  In
Ribbin', I describe, discuss, and explain black male street corner language
and behavior as it is played out in our schools.  Because so many teachers,
black and white, do not understand the black male students' language and
behavior, he is too often referred to special education and caught up in
discipline problems.  see: http:/www.gse.buffalo.edu/fas.Foster/


At 07:56 PM 05/27/2000 -0700, you wrote:
>What is the origin of the term Rap?  The earliest meaning I know of is a
>man's conversation with women in order to "put the moves on her," but as
>far as I know, even that definition is not very old.
>
>Jordan Rich
>Independent Scholar
>http://funkmasterj.tripod.com