"keep it real"

[Laurence Horn]

Being fairly sure that "keep it real" considerably predates George's 
use in that classic death by 
licking-poisoned-cut-rate-wedding-invitation-envelope episode, I 
cross-posted the query to the American Dialect Society list, where 
all the expert antedaters hang out.  I got the response below from 
John Baker.

Larry Horn
=============================
Date:         Sat, 12 Jul 2008 20:35:17 -0400
Reply-To: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sender: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From: "Baker, John" <JMB at STRADLEY.COM>

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
===================

At 3:53 PM +0900 7/12/08, Robert O'Mochain wrote:
>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.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/gala-l/attachments/20080713/aca05cb2/attachment.htm>