Hip (slang)

:For other uses of the term, see hip.

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Hip, or hep, is a slang term; an adjective meaning "fashionably current" or one to refer to someone who is conversant with or deeply involved in a particular trend or subject.

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The term originated in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in the late 1920s. "Hip" is derived from the earlier form "hep", but despite research and speculation by both amateur and professional etymologists, the origins of the "hip" and "hep" are disputed.

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However many etymologists believe that, like the words "jazz", "dig" and "banana", the terms "hip", "hep" and "hepcat" derive from the term "hepicat", which occurs in the West African Wolof language, and means "one who has his eyes open".

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Like many other terms, this usage is believed to have come into English from Wolof or other related languages spoken by the West African people who were kidnapped and taken as slaves to the Americas.

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http://slate.msn.com/id/2110811 http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhip.html.

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Made fun of by the comedy album How To Speak Hip by Del Close and John Brent.

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African American Vernacular English: African American Vernacular English (AAVE), known colloquially as Ebonics, also called Black English, Black Vernacular or Black English Vernacular, is a type of Southern American English lect (dialect, ethnolect and sociolect) of American English. With pronunciation that in some respects is common t...

Etymologist: An etymologist is a linguist who focuses primarily on the origins of words. They are interested in the socioeconomic and cultural value of words. Etymology can provide interesting insights into popular culture by showing the history of its words....

Jazz: :For other article subjects named Jazz see jazz (disambiguation)....

Hip (slang) related Images and Photos (experimental)

Slang Flashcards	Slang 2 Flashcards	Motorcycle Slang Terms	Carmen: A Hip Hopera (DVD)
Hip-Hip! Another Ship Another Victory c.1918	Gadget Hip Holster	Starfleet Hip Flask	NAS: Hip Hop Is Dead
NAS: Hip Hop Is Dead	African-American Hip Hop Poster	Hands on hip, Elvis Presley Cutout	30 Rock Hip Hop Peacock T-Shirt