'Bling Bling' added to Oxford dictionary

Andrea Farmer/The South End

"I knew it was serious when I saw that the NBA championship ring...had the word 'Bling Bling' written in diamonds on it," Cash Money Millionaires rapper Baby Gangsta told MTV News. "I just wish that I'd trademarked it, so I'd never have to work again."

Hip-hop term joins 'jiggy' and 'whack' as dictionary listing
By Lisa Allen
South End Contributing Writer

It's official: the common hip-hop term 'bling bling' has recently been added to the Oxford English Dictionary.

Fabricated by the famous Cash Money artist Baby Gangsta, the term refers to diamonds, jewelry and all forms of flashy style.

In the late 90s, the rap family, Cash Money Millionaires from New Orleans, started to use the term. BG even wrote a song titled 'Bling Bling,' which talks about diamond jewelry and nice cars. The rapper is now promoting his new album "Living Legend" and is happy about the fame that 'Bling Bling' has received.

"I knew it was serious when I saw that the NBA championship ring for the Los Angeles Lakers had the word 'Bling Bling' written in diamonds on it," BG told MTV News. "I just wish that I'd trademarked it, so I'd never have to work again."

Many other hip hop terms such as 'jiggy,' 'dope,' 'whack,' 'ill' and 'bootylicious' have drafted into the dictionary as well. Since its birth in the Bronx, the hip-hop culture and slang has made itself known throughout the U.S.

Ladan Ali, a Wayne State University sophomore majoring in biology, said that using slang comes naturally to her. However, she feels that it should not be included in the dictionary.

"I use slang everyday, but I don't think it should be in the dictionary because five years from now, no one will remember what 'bling bling' is," Ali said. "They should have a dictionary of slang separate from the regular dictionary."

In fact, at Barnes & Noble, individuals can purchase dictionaries that only feature with hip-hop terminology.

"A2Z: The Book of Rap and Hip-Hop Slang," offers a list of today's latest terms and defines over a thousand words and phrases. The book also includes a discography of classic rap albums with examples and resources.

Kareem Matti, a WSU biology major and sophomore, feels that the hip-hop culture is what makes the young generation unique.

"I talk slang with my boys all the time," Matti said. "It's a part of the new culture. Slang is a part of our generation and that makes it a part of society. Every generation changes the English language some way or another and slang is just a new addition."

Even some newsrooms are starting to use slang. CNN encourages their reporters to use a slang dictionary for their graphics to incorporate pop expressions and be as precise and cutting edge as possible with information.

Robert Aguirre, professor of English at WSU, feels that English is always changing.

"English is known for absorbing all kinds of words from different cultures," Aguirre said. "Sometimes they stay and sometimes they don't. That is what makes English lively and interesting."

Mike Wiercigroch, a WSU junior majoring in pre-physical therapy, feels that location is an important factor when talking about hip-hop.

"A lot depends on what area you're in," Wiercigroch said. "Detroit has a big hip-hop scene, so you would automatically use more slang. If you go somewhere else, there might not be as much slang."

For all those who are not a part of Generation Y (1979-1994), the Oxford English Dictionary has just made it easier to participate in any and every current discussion without being lost in the dark with the use of every-changing slang.

I guess people from the community are going to have to think of new terms to keep it in the 'family'...

this is some stoopid shit, cuz u know ain't nobody gonna be sayin 'bling-bling' 10 years from now.

That is so true Handclaps, because hip-hop terms are ever changing that it needs it's own dictionary, and it would have to be updated every now and then, if people really want to keep up with it. But, maybe what they're saying is that the words they are adding to the Oxford are the words they want to keep???...!!! Oh...that's what the article somwhat states...back to my first comment.

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[This message was edited Mon May 26 12:20:07 PDT 2003 by Starmist7]

is "hella" in the dictionary yet? i love that word...

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

It should go to the slang graveyard and rest alongside such classics as "fresh", "funkyfresh", and "word up" although "bling bling" is the most ig'nant of the bunch IMO.
[This message was edited Mon May 26 12:50:01 PDT 2003 by NovaAngel]

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Shit... nobody should be saying it now, much less 10 years from now.

Bling Bling!

where I live a bing or a binger is a bong





[This message was edited Mon May 26 16:15:57 PDT 2003 by pejman]