You daily language lesson.

[theprimrosepath]

So, after hearing it in countless songs, movies, tv shows, and random conversations on the street, I finally let my curiousity get the better of me. I just had to know what the hell "shorty" meant and how on earth it has ended up with contextual definition of "hot girl," or possibly just "girl," full stop

Comments

[sensibleken]

hmm very interesting. ive never heard the word shorty mean that before

[theprimrosepath]

Good to know we're keeping our ridiculous slang on our own shores, at least. :)

[moonchildetoo]

Meant to tell you before that I love that icon!

A couple of guesses: so-called after the girl's short attention span, or referring to the fact that she would be a quickie?

[quietmadman]

It didn't even mean "a short person" until 1888. I am still digging into its current meaning. I'll report back with my findings.

[quietmadman]

Okay, apparently it's Method Man's fault, but there's no indication as to WHY that word was chosen to mean that. Interestingly, "shorty" or "shawty" can also mean a child (which makes sense), a friend (buh?), or a sawed-off shotgun.

My foray into hip-hop language has made me realize that there is essentially no reason (though plenty of rhyme) in that realm, and it is best left alone entirely by actual English-speakers. That way lies the death of sense.

[theprimrosepath]

You are awesome. :)

So this same word could conceivably mean "girlfriend," "friend," and "sawed-off shotgun." How useful; I imagine it cuts down on the words people in some areas of the south need to learn...

That way lies the death of sense.

I must not use slang...slang is the mind-killer...