etymology - What are the meaning and possible origin of "word!" and "word up"?


Several times, I have had conversations, all over instant messenger, finish with "word" or "Word up G".


As it ends a conversation, I am guessing it is like "goodbye".


My question is what is the meaning of "word" and "word up g"? Also, what is the origin?


I am more interested in the meaning as that will help with understanding its usage.



Answer



Both are generally used to mean "I agree." The terms are from late 1980s hip-hop slang. As Ed Guiness notes, popular usage probably originated with the single Word Up! by Cameo.


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