# Phrases used in popular culture that you don't know the definition of(explanations) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877 "2003-06-27T23:09:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/121 "2003-07-18T01:46:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by CURIOUS\_GEORGIE7 \* > \*\*All your base are belong to us. Is that right? \*\* [http://www.planettribes.com/allyourbase/AYB2.swf](http://www.planettribes.com/allyourbase/AYB2.swf) Warning. You will get the song stuck in your head. Julie ---
**Author:** ![Swoop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Swoop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swoop)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/122 "2003-07-18T06:03:45Z")
what is “w00t”? I gather it’s hacker/computer geek jargon/slang but does it mean? ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/123 "2003-07-18T06:09:56Z")
[w00t](http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/gaming/38e7/) ---
**Author:** ![Eolbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@Eolbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eolbo)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/124 "2003-07-18T06:47:43Z")
This Australian is really struggling with some of the slang in this thread. What is a nizzle? ---
**Author:** ![Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecd19e/32.png) [@Aslan\_of\_Narnia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aslan_of_Narnia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/125 "2003-07-18T07:00:17Z")
A shorthand used for “Nigger”. Used by rappers, or even more commonly, people acting like rappers. ---
**Author:** ![Askia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@Askia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askia)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/126 "2003-07-18T07:02:17Z")
Tongue in cheek pronounciation of the racial slur, “nigger”: used in the phrase, “For snizzle, my nizzle.” At this writing, it is used exclusively in the singular. Not to be confused with nigga, nigra, Negro or nig. Not recommended for amateur use. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/127 "2003-07-18T09:52:53Z")
How about “One time…in band camp?” Not did I just read this phrase in the header to the Sorenstam thread, but yesterday on the radio I heard some DJs playing a clip in which some girl said the phrase, and I thought “Now, why is everybody laughing like that’s a clip they’ve all heard sixteen thousand times before?” ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/128 "2003-07-18T10:33:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pseudotriton ruber ruber \* > \*\*How about “One time…in band camp?” Not did I just read this phrase in the header to the Sorenstam thread, but yesterday on the radio I heard some DJs playing a clip in which some girl said the phrase, and I thought “Now, why is everybody laughing like that’s a clip they’ve all heard sixteen thousand times before?” \*\* from the film americam pie, which i believe quite a few people have seen. said by alyson hannigan (willow off buffy). i wont spoil the rest of the line for you. its worth seeing the film once or twice tho, depending on how much you like teen comedies. what the hell does “'bout it,bout it!” mean? caesar in the boondocks said it a couple of weeks ago. im up with most hip hop slang but this one defeats me 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2003, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/129 "2003-07-18T10:34:54Z")
that may well be american pie, rather than americam. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/130 "2003-07-27T14:15:43Z")
**’you’re the bomb!’** or something like that. it appears to be a compliment in context? **’who’s your daddy’** nobody answered this yet, has it got anything to do with schwarzenegger? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/131 "2003-07-27T14:21:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > **Pr0n is a way of munging (obscuring) the word porn on a newsgroup or message board. It is done with the intent to avoid userid harvesters who will grab IDs that have mentioned porn and spam them with ads for the same. In addition, some message boards use nanny monitor software that will substitute asterisks or inane phrases for “improper” words. “Pr0n” gets passed that software, letter one’s message be posted without interference, while still conveying the original intent.** I always thought it was leetspeek, such as l33t ha\>\ **Author:** ![TeaRoses](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@TeaRoses](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeaRoses)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/132 "2003-07-27T14:37:51Z") Here’s two I’ve been dying to ask about… twink – seen in posts on this board, both of which had to do with homosexuality topics? chanslash – seen in fanfic summaries. Yes, I know what slash is, but I looked this word up in whole list on an adult fanfic site and couldn’t find it. (no, it’s not going to shock me) ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/133 "2003-07-27T16:26:39Z")
There’s been a long history of substituting syllables as a way to create a cant of sorts. Think pig-Latin. The **izzle** substitution are along these same lines. Unless you already know what the speaker is talking about you may not be able to pick up on what is being discussed. ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/134 "2003-07-27T16:54:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by delphica \* > \*\*Thank you, kind people, for the information on Jay-Z and O\_o. > > A little more on the “tell it to the hand” – the gesture was first, you know, when you put your hand up, palm facing out, to interrupt someone (sort of like the gesture a traffic cop makes for “stop”, but with more dramatic flair). “Talk to the hand” means the same thing, that you’re not listening and any more talking will be in vain. \*\* It’s also known as “The Heisman”, in reference to the stance on the [college football trophy](http://heismanmemorialtrophy.com/) although it’s more specifically for when you walk past someone while doing it. ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/135 "2003-07-27T16:57:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Miller \* > \*\*I believe “cockblocking” can also be when a woman deliberately arouses her date, only to abruptly refuse sex at the last moment. \*\* I’ve most often heard the term ‘cock blocker’ referred to the wiser, often older, women who thwart the efforts of those who are trying to seduce their more innocent female acquaintances. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/136 "2003-07-27T16:59:22Z")
\ The use of “embiggens” has not been sufficiently cromulent in this thread. \ ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/137 "2003-07-27T17:02:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TeaRoses \* > \*\*Here’s two I’ve been dying to ask about… > > twink – seen in posts on this board, both of which had to do with homosexuality topics? > \*\* According to [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com), ‘twink’ is gay slang for ‘a cute young thing with nothing upstairs’, but my first exposure to the term was in online role-playing games. In these games, a twink is a low-level character that has a lot of gear that is normally only available to higher level characters, either through it’s high game price or the fact it must be obtained through very dangerous quests. Sometimes a twink is a friend of a long-term player who just started the game, but usually it is the alternate character of a long-term player that was ‘enhanced’ with gear transferred over from their older character (most of these games allow you to have multiple characters). ---
**Author:** ![Badtz\_Maru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Badtz\_Maru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badtz_Maru)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/138 "2003-07-27T17:06:01Z")
Oh, in the online game context, ‘twink’ can also be a verb, i.e. ‘I twinked out my girlfriend’s character with a mattekar hide coat, an ebony yumi, and 200 Greater Lightning arrows.’ ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/139 "2003-07-27T17:19:15Z")
“Fo’ Shizzle” means “for sure”, not “shit”. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2003, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877/140 "2003-07-27T19:33:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aslan of Narnia \* > \*\*I was wondering what Otaku meant, I’ve heard it mentioned a lot in reference to anime. I’ve heard it being mentioned as “Otakuing out”. Also, in wrestling, what is meant by Jobber, Worker, Face, etc.? > \*\* -A “jobber” is a fella who’s paid to lose, essentially- the guy who is going to be losing is referred to as “doing the job”. -“Worker” is simply the term for a “wrestler” as opposed to an interview giver. In other words, a wrestler can have horrible mic skills, but still be an good “worker”. Chris Benoit = good worker, Kevin Nash = horrible worker. -A related term is “workrate”, which refers, basically, to how much of a match a particular wrestler spends doing impressive stuff, rather than restholds and playing to the fan. The Hardyz, much as I despise them, have an excellent workrate; Hulk Hogan does not. -A “face” is a good guy; a “heel” is a bad fella. -A few more wrestling terms: “blading” refers to the practice of cutting one’s forehead open mid-match to make it seem more brutal or real. Contrary to popular belief, wrestlers rarely use blood packets, but instead keep a sliver of razor blade in the tights. While the opponent plays to the crowd or jaws with the ref, out comes the razor blade and suddenly the wrestler is “busted wide open”. -A “blown spot” is a move or hold that visibly gets f\*\*\*ed up. -A “gimmick” is a wrestler’s character, and can refer to his/her wrestling attire. -“Shoot” in wrestling means “real”- for example, when two wrestlers are allowed to cut an unscripted promo where they just rip into each other and say what they really think (ie. Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart in '93) or a match where the participants are genuinely fighting, they are said to be “shooting”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/phrases-used-in-popular-culture-that-you-dont-know-the-definition-of-explanations/184877.md?page=8)