Leave it to sista’s to add a little spice to the English language. These are some neologisms, words, and expressions we use… and they’re meanings.
*Too bad/ Too bad for your life- a versatile reaction statement in response to a situation that is either unfortunate, sad, funny, awkward, crazy, or a hot mess
*My life/soul/world/existence/ being/essence!!!- a dramatic, spontaneous outcry
*What is your life- How are you?
*Trinkets- material goods that indicate one’s social standing… or one’s desired social standing.
*Waiting to Exhale moment- A romance-fueled rage that sends a woman’s emotions soaring toward the level of Bernie’s (Angela Basset) in Waiting to Exhale when she torched her husbands car, and coolly lit a cigarette while walking away.
*Something new- a Caucasian romantic interest ex: I see your ’something new’!
* ‘Sig-O’- n. short for significant other; a man that is significant in a woman’s romantic life. This term can be used by a woman to describe the man she is dating exclusively or non-exclusively. It is also a healthy alternative to the banal status of “boyfriend”.
*seedy- term used to describe a rendezvous point, person, or situation that is far less than couth, and should probably be discussed with close friends only in hushed tones
*Thatch Snatch- Brazilian Wax
*Loves it- love it
* Anapaphobia- the wide-spread fear of water amongst women of African descent with processed or pressed hair, particularly of the chance that substance might come into contact with their hair and thus stimulate a reversion to its curlier state.
* BAP- Black American Princess
* Baptitude- derived from the acronym, BAP for Black American Princess, a term used to describe an African-American woman’s familiarity with female rituals of the Black bourgeoisie
* Beat- adj. term used to describe a well-made up face, to the extent that the individual may look significantly worse without the cosmetics.
* Blingtastic- adj. one who indulges in the adornment of diamond encrusted jewelry ( or diamond-like jewelry). Ex: Kimora Lee Simons is blingtastic.
* Butta-fly- adj. a woman in her early twenties that has undergone a stunning physical transformation
* crazy-n. a former love interest of a woman whose actions during the interim of their relationships could not be justified with logic or rationality. (Example: Jabari was a crazy) 2. (plural) “The Crazies”- term used to reference former love interests en masse. (Ex: During that period in my life I was still dealing with the crazies but now I’m at peace.)
* cup of jamal- yerba mate, because a cup of jamal has more kick than a cup of joe
* fabolah- wonderfully fabulous
* Fabulosity-n. quality possessed by one who seems to be effortlessly fabulous; always put together, talented, well spoken, charismatic, and just in general a breath of fabulous air.
* fierce- 1. very fashionable or cool; worthy of three snaps for the kids
* Fiercetrocities- n. atrocities as they relate to a woman’s appearance. Ex: Chanee stumbled home the next morning looking nothing like a lady; messy hair, smudged mascara, scuffed shoes, and other disdainful fiercetrocities.
* Fly- 1. cool in demeanor 2. fashionable, in vogue 3. term used to describe an individual with inmeasurable confidence, exquisite tastes, and an intriguing air
* haute mess- someone, usually a woman, who in appearance is well put together, but the condition of the personal life is often a horrible mess. Pormanteau of “haute couture” and “hot mess”
* Storm - v. phrase used to describe a woman’s confident and sassy strut, usually performed in heels of 3 inches or higher. Frequently used in reference to some theoretical runway. Ex. Men watched in awe as Chante stormed the runway. (coined by Vernon-James)
* Werq- command to be fierce on cue and as my friend might say “Go off for your grandmutha!!!”
