verb · Ballroom / AAVE · 2010s

Did something exceptionally well — “ate and left no crumbs.”

adjective · AAVE · historic

Excellent; formidable; impressive — a semantic reversal where “bad” means very good.

noun · AAVE / hip-hop · 2010s

A confident, striking, put-together woman — self-assured and stylish.

interjection · Nationwide · 2000s

An affirmation — “okay,” “for sure,” or an accepted challenge.

noun · Hip-hop · 1990s

Flashy jewelry; ostentatious display of wealth. From late-90s hip-hop.

adjective · U.S. South · pre-2000s

Excellent; delicious. Black Southern speech — not a TikTok coinage.

noun · AAVE / nationwide · 2010s

Close friends and community treated as family; also a warm term of address.

auxiliary · U.S. South · 20th c.

Fixing to; about to. A hallmark of Black Southern grammar marking near-future intent.

adjective · Ballroom · 1990s

Shocked; rendered speechless — from Black ballroom culture.

noun · U.S. South · historic

One’s relatives and chosen people; family in the broadest, deepest sense.

phrase · Atlanta · 2000s

No lie; for real. “Cap” means a lie; “no cap” means the truth.

verb · Ballroom · 1980s

To expose someone’s flaws sharply and wittily. From Black ballroom & queer culture.

noun · Bronx / Black creators · 2020s

Charm; the skill of attracting a partner through talk. Coined by a Black creator — attribution intact.

idiom · phrase · AAVE · 2010s

A metaphor for acceptance into Black community — “invited to the cookout” means you’ve earned belonging.

verb · AAVE · 20th c.

Overreacting; behaving irrationally or acting strange over something.

noun · U.S. South · 2000s

An affectionate address for an older Black man — elder, uncle figure, or mentor owed respect.