Cross-posting a query

[Benjamin Zimmer]

FWIW, "Keep It Real" is the title of a track on John Lee and Gerry
Brown's 1975 Blue Note album "Mango Sunrise".

http://www.worldsoul.com/JOHN_LEE_&_GERRY_BROWN__1390_html

--Ben


On Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 12:01 AM, Laurence Horn <laurence.horn at yale.edu> wrote:
>
> At 8:35 PM -0400 7/12/08, Baker, John wrote:
> >It seems to come from the performing arts; I suspect the origin was
> >theatre, although for some years I believe it's been more associated
> >with music.  As for what it means, I've never been quite sure,
> >although my first example may provide a hint.
> >
> >
> >New York Times (7/12/1981) (Westlaw):  Jack Lemmon has been showing
> >directors and audiences for more than 30 years, and they have
> >usually believed him. "He has that very fortunate Mr. Everyman face
> >and it's very difficult not to believe him," said Stuart Rosenberg,
> >who directed Lemmon in "The April Fools." "He can keep it real, as
> >opposed to theatrical."
> >
> >Sacramento Bee (2/2/1986) (Westlaw):  'It's the last waterfront
> >community on the bay where you can fish, and it's nice to walk your
> >dog on the beach,' Arneson said. 'We're trying to preserve it. We
> >don't want to turn it into glitz or a little Jack London Square or
> >Fisherman's Wharf. But how do you keep it real?'
> >
> >Orlando Sentinel (4/28/1986) (Westlaw):  JAY LENO:  'KEEP IT REAL' .
> >. . ''Nothing can be funny if you don't have a basic normality to
> >come away from. If they don't buy the premise, they don't buy the
> >joke.''  [discussion of the "rules" for comedy]
> >
> >Philadelphia Inquirer (2/6/1987) (Westlaw):  Before the populist
> >[Joan Jett] swoops off to her next campaign stop, she utters a
> >phrase that could be her slogan, pointing her finger in emphasis:
> >"It's important to keep it real."
> >
> >
> >Joan Jett's 1987 usage is the kind we now think of.  I'm not certain
> >if we should think of the 2/2/1986 example from the Sacramento Bee
> >as the same usage, or just the literal meaning of "real."
> >
> >
> >John Baker
>
> Thanks, John.  That should be just what the poster wanted; I'll
> cross-post your findings to her and the GALA-L list.
>
> LH
>
> >
> >
> >________________________________
> >
> >From: American Dialect Society on behalf of Laurence Horn
> >Sent: Sat 7/12/2008 11:53 AM
> >To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> >Subject: Cross-posting a query
> >
> >
> >
> >I'm sure someone here can antedate "keep it real" beyond the Seinfeld
> >death by licking-poisoned- cut-rate-wedding-invitation-envelope
> >episode.  I can post the appropriate antedate on GALA-L, with credit,
> >for Prof. Colvin.
> >
> >LH
> >
> >>Date:         Sat, 12 Jul 2008 15:53:13 +0900
> >>Sender: International Gender and Language Association
> >><GALA-L at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG>
> >>From: "Robert O'Mochain" <omochain at LANG.OSAKA-U.AC.JP>
> >>Subject: Re: [GALA-L] "keep it real"
> >>
> >>Dear Sarah Colvin,
> >>
> >>I first heard that expression on an episode of "Seinfeld" (probably 1997).
> >>In the context of the storyline it seems funny on the lips of the character,
> >>Costanza, because he uses it to say goodbye to the parents of his former
> >>finance. They seem too old and high class for that phrase; it seems too
> >>casual in the context because of the serious tone involved with the parents
> >>(he was partly responsible for the death of their daughter); and finally,
> >>because the character in the show often lies to this couple (and often lies
> >>in general) so the implication of authenticity in "Keep it real," seems
> >>incongruous coming from "Costanza".
> >>
> >>Hope this helps (if only a little!)
> >>
> >>Robert O'Mochain.
> >>
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: International Gender and Language Association
> >>[mailto:GALA-L at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG] On Behalf Of Sarah Colvin
> >>Sent: Friday, July 11, 2008 10:24 PM
> >>To: GALA-L at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG
> >>Subject: [GALA-L] "keep it real"
> >>
> >>
> >>Can anybody give me a reference or advise me re. the history, use, and
> >>meaning of the phrase "keep it real"?
> >>Thanks,
> >>Sarah Colvin
> >>
> >>Professor Sarah Colvin
> >>University of Edinburgh
> >>David Hume Tower
> >>George Square
> >>Edinburgh EH8 9JX
> >>Tel. ++ 131 650 3630
> >>email: sarah.colvin at ed.ac.uk
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>--
> >>The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in
> >>Scotland, with registration number SC005336.
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------
> >The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------
> >The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org