[Ads-l] rap as.

[James Landau]

On Sat, 17 May 2025 20:39:20 Zone+0000   Geoffrey Nathan <geoffnathan at WAYNE.EDU> posted:: ..<quote>This was discussed extensively here, but quite a while ago. Wilson, who I believe is no longer on this list, argues that it derives from 'rap on', analogous to 'hit on' meaning originally to 'chat someone up' (i.e. flirt with) but then extended its sense to rhythmic talking. Obviously AAVE in origin.
<end quote>
I don't know if this be useful or if be any kind of antedating, but in Basic Training in the Army (August-October 1969) an African-American in my platoon told me that before being drafted he had a column in which "I could rap".  Here "rap" means something like "talk about what I feel is important".

James Landau
jjjrlandau at netscape.com

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