I’ve got to clue the word “ghetto,” and I’m tempted to do something like:
__ fabulous ('00s fashion critique)
(or)
__ fabulous (flaunting one’s bling)
Are these offensive?
Thanks.
I’d not run the risk (assuming you creating clues for publication, and not for personal pleasure.)
i’ve heard it used many times, but never in any context that would rule out it’s offensiveness.
I think I’d just go with a historical reference, i.e. medieval Jewish enclave, or something similar.
Oh yeah…
;j
It means your poor but you have nice clothes or a nice car, you may need to borrow money to eat but you have a new pair of shoes every other week.
All this yet you could still be living in a low income neighborhood…it refers to people that spend money on the wrong things and never have any left over for things they really need.
Is it offensive? A little yes but it depends on who is saying it to who. If your rich you probably shouldn’t say it to someone who is poor.
Disclaimer: I’m not an expert.
“Ghettofabulous” is different than “ghetto”. The latter is heavy in negative connotation while the former is much more light-hearted. Additionally, “ghettofabulous” is much more of a style than “ghetto”, which is a way of being.
White trash = ghetto
Redneck = ghettofabulous
When Mary J. Blige came on the scene, she was ghettofabulous (and she has said so herself).
A person who is ghettofabulous will wear house shoes to the grocery store.
A person who is ghettofabulous will put spinning rims on an old car.
It is ghettofabulous to eat koolaide mix and fried bolaney sandwiches.
It is ghettofabulous to put plastic on all of the furniture.
Ghettofabulous women get their hair and nails “did”.
The things that make a person “ghettofabulous” are declassé, but they aren’t signs of moral failure (like “ghetto”). However, not everything that’s lower class is ghettofabulous. Mullets, for instance, are not. Dookie braids are.
Is the term offensive? Well, it depends. Frankly, the fact that you’re asking this question makes me think that you’re not really “hip” to all the nuances and baggage associated with the term “ghetto”. So I would be cautious.
About a year and a half ago, some online friends and I compiled a humorous list of “ghettofabulous traits”. We are all black. Even though most of us were not “hood rats”, we took pride in our “ghettofabulous” experiences and loved ones. None of us were offended by the humor.
But if a bunch of suburban white folks had done the same thing? I admit I might feel differently. Just like I’m sure not anyone can jump in with the “You might be a redneck” stuff without rustling some feathers.
Yupper, that’s what I thought – not appropriate for use by a white person (which is what I am).
Thanks all!
You mean like people who obviously have money (nice clothes, hair, nails, etc) using Food Stamps to buy Bakery birthday cakes (you know, the ones with the Disney Princesses or Spongebob), lobster, steak, snow crab legs, and the like?
Some of those people eat better than I will ever dream of eating!
I work PT in a grocery store, so I know…
From urbandictionary.com
Ghetto fabulous
Referring to the style of nouveau riche people who have grown up in ghetto or urban areas. The combination of bad taste,an urban aesthetic and desire to wear one’s wealth. Basically, high priced but tacky clothing and accessories.
it is often confused with this term this term:
Deeply in debt but ostentatious.
Basically one has money which they use to project a style of grotesque playa flava’. The other is someone without money who is attempting to front.
As for being offensive, I probably wouldn’t say them to a perfect stranger.
snarf!
And here I thought it was a term for gay men in the inner city.
You know…
Ghetto fabulous!
Ahh… I was down once, but then I got old.