slang list

[Benjamin Zimmer]

On Tue, 21 Jun 2005 11:08:21 -0400, Mark A. Mandel
<mamandel at LDC.UPENN.EDU> wrote:

>Dictionary of New Terms
>
>Compiled by the History of the English Language classes at Hope College,
>1997-2002
>
>http://www.hope.edu/academic/english/gruenler/newterms.htm
[...]
>       word n. A question asked to another person in greeting them. This
>is to ask someone what the word is on how they are and what they are
>doing. As a person walks past they may be greeted with, "Word!" This
>derives from "word" as information or news. "Word up" is a common phrase
>used with this definition to ask what is happening with someone else.
>Often used in alternative and rap music. [This is the first time I have
>seen any etymology for this expression. -- MAM]

The online Rap Dictionary on "word up":

        http://www.rapdict.org/Word_up
        word up
        1. A question like "What's up?", or "What's the word?".
        2. A term of agreement, acknowledgment, and/or greeting.

It was popularized by the 1986 Cameo song "Word Up!". From Allmusic.com:

        http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=33:us98sd6ba3zg
        Using a popular phrase as the title of a song is a
        standard songwriting technique that can yield great
        results. Cameo leader Larry Blackmon heard the
        expression 'word up' while making his rounds in the
        party scene. He thought the slang phrase would be a
        great title for a song.

Some lyrics:

        Come on baby, tell me what's the word
        Ah - word up, everybody say
        When you hear the call you got to get it underway
        Word up, it's the code word, no matter where you say it
        You'll know that you'll be heard


--Ben Zimmer