October 15, 2008
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But more importantly, why?
Ghetto.
This is a word that is becoming more and more popular among certain cultures. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not tryin’ to be frontin’ here, but sure somebody out there has done the research by now. Does anybody know where that word really came from?
Based on this information alone, when did “ghetto” ever become an adjective?
Somewhere along the lines, I think the real meaning of this word was horribly lost. See, these people in the picture up there, they weren’t exactly proud to live in these ghettos. In fact, unless I am mistaken, this time period is often considered one of the darkest times in the world’s history. But that’s no big deal right? After all, a person’s ghetto-ness can easily be determined by whether or not their grill is so shiny you have to put on sun block when they open their mouths. Or even better, by how low their pants sag, never mind the fact that this came from a prison practice used by inmates to ease the process of inevitable butt-rape. However, I am more than willing to cast all my suspicions of complete ineptitude upon the guilty aside if they could but answer one simple question.
Why?
When did this word completely change meaning? Who decided that it was gonna be the next big thing to substitute the terms “trashy” and “tasteless” with “ghetto”. But more importantly, why? Do you really think these people in that picture up there want to be remembered for these reasons? I would certainly hope not.
Until next time, good luck with life.
Comments (32)
good post man
The English language has been bastardized so often throughout time, it’s been part of its seeming evolution. Several years ago, you didn’t hear anybody use google as a verb.
@XINERGY - I think “google” was one of the first words to ever come out of my mouth
I suggest you take this up with Paul Wall.
good question!
language, meaning of words is always inseparable from the time and the situation in which any word is used, uttered, written.
tmies move so fast now, new words spawn every day. everything chamges and people are too busy, too stressed or too self absorbed to give a shit about history.
That’s probably why.
A great many English words have long become disconnected from the meanings they originally carried. “Ghetto” is just a normal example of the language evolving, and the term was in use well before World War II. So I guess it is unfortunate, but normal.
you are full of win, everytime.
The word “ghetto” by the way dates from the Middle Ages and was used to describe separate sections of the city where- you guessed it- Jews lived.
Interesting fact about that picture: we read a novel called “night” in English my Junior year by a man named Ellie Eisel, it was about his experiences as a Jew during WWII, and he’s in that picture..I can’t remember for the life of me which one is him, but I know he’s there. Hey look, I learned something in high school! Wow.
Good post! I’ve never thought about it that way.
Hmm, Elvis sang a song called “In the Ghetto”.
And his hunger burns
So he starts to roam the streets at night
And he learns how to steal
And he learns how to fight
In the ghetto
Must of been before this was written that the meaning changed. Unless he’s talking about Jews…
@StewieIsMyHero - I think he was talking about pimp jews
Haha, obviously that is the case. Pimp Jews with little pimp jew babies.
I passed a heap of Jews today, there must have been Synagogue on somewhere.
Informative and witty.
Nice.
x
There might be some confusion between “concentration camp” and “ghetto” since that would be a picture from a concentration camp above. Not a picture from a ghetto. For ghetto, think of the city scenes from Schindler’s List.
FWIW, “this word completely changed meaning” seems to be overstating things.
btw, the term “concentration camp” had a somewhat normal meaning, but then WWII happened and now it went from some place you packed people together to something synonymous with death camp.
@esch99 - i know concentration camp != ghetto, I just thought it would provide a more dramatic affect
I’ve known people who’ve used “ghetto” and “gay” as interchangable terms.
Good post!
Just reading this makes me want to make sure my belt is tight enough to prevent any prison-tactics.
You have only white people to blame for making such an easily misused, abused, and fused(?) language. Thankfully, it’s a hilarious language.
wasn’t it originaly used during the time to name the place where peasents lived, or mainly been more popularized during WWII of when the Jews were being prayed upon by the Natzi?
@mr_faust - even in it’s original meanings it was references to Jews
Wow, this is so ghetto.
No, this is so ‘hood.
This is so gangsta.
I was going to make a witty comment similar to those above, but they took all the words I could think of…
@RockOfEadie - aww “I LOVE TO LEARN!
” (honestly, i rather be brewing coffee then attending classes right now *_*)
I’m so glad someone posted about this, it’s always bothered me, how we use that term nowadays. You fucking rock. Great post.
~Marina
Excellent post! I was actually thinking about writing something like this while I was reading “The True Story of Hansel and Gretel” by Louise Murphy (If you are into Jewish themed literature you might want to check it out, great book)…….anyhooo, I agree. “Ghetto” and “Hood” are somehow becoming claims to fame. Of course, no one actually takes the time to think of where the words came from.
I don’t know why… but Im guilty of using it, though in a purely negative way! *thumbs up*
Well, from the same source (Wikipedia), the etymology (origin) of the word itself is Italian. (Not English) The word was used in order to designate typically the Jewish quarter of a city. (Again, it was the Italians.) How the word came to English was that the term “ghetto” would be used to identify a particular part of a city, usually on the poor side, that was inhabited primarily by a single ethnic group, and that would include African Americans. It has since been taken for whatever reasons to mean whatever the rap industry wants to get people to buy stuff. There’s no real purpose. This person on MTV is “ghetto” whatever, you should be like that or at least they want you to think so, so…go out and buy something.
The nerd in me hates it when words aren’t used the “right” way anymore. This post makes me wonder what “ghetto booty” means if you use the old definition. And why doesn’t it work if you use synonyms? I work with a lady who’s proud of her g-hetto b-hootay, but she gets mad when I use different versions of the same thing. What’s wrong with Slum butt? or Barrio ass? XD
Holy crap…I never say “ghetto” but at least now I have a reason. Awesome post…And thanks for the clarification on the origin of the low-riding pants….EWW!