Cross-posting a query

[Jesse Sheidlower]

And FWIW, there is an OED entry for this term, published in
2006, under _keep_ v., with two senses, earliest examples 1977
for each.

Jesse Sheidlower
OED

On Sun, Jul 13, 2008 at 12:21:11AM -0400, Benjamin Zimmer wrote:
> 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

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