# Hip Hop: Who is Shorty and Mommy?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [March 24, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817 "2003-03-24T17:30:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![yme](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/35a633/32.png) [@yme](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yme)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/1 "2003-03-24T17:30:07Z")

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Probably something I should know since I mostly listen to Hip Hop and Rap. First I though Shorty was someone’s bitch, now it’s seems as though it’s mentioned in every damn song there is. So who’s Shorty?

Now Mommy i’m thinking is something of a ‘baby mama’ or something along those lines, but am unsure. Who’s Mommy?

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**Author:** ![ThePyroWeasel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/54ee81/32.png) [@ThePyroWeasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThePyroWeasel)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/2 "2003-03-24T17:43:54Z")

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Here’s my understanding:

Shorty is a generic name for any ol’ girl. It combines the affection of a cute nickname with the demeaning nature of pointing out how she’s below (shorter than) the male figure using the name.

And I believe you’re right about ‘mommy’.

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**Author:** ![karomon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@karomon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/karomon)\
**Post date:** [March 24, 2003, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/3 "2003-03-24T18:48:09Z")

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“mami” - girl

“papi” - guy

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**Author:** ![Blackhawkeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c4cdca/32.png) [@Blackhawkeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blackhawkeye)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/4 "2003-03-25T22:33:23Z")

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Shorty refers to either a child or a woman. Mami refers to a woman, usually a girlfriend or wife.

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**Author:** ![Cessandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cessandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cessandra)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/5 "2003-03-25T22:36:49Z")

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Not in hip hop, but IRL I’ve heard people refer to children as “mami.” Mostly Hispanic women, and only when directed at the child. Odd, I think.

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**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\
**Post date:** [March 25, 2003, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hip-hop-who-is-shorty-and-mommy/163817/6 "2003-03-25T23:35:38Z")

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I always thought ‘shorty’ referred to a kid.