# Props, Where/when did this word suddenly appear? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 12, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051 "2006-03-12T16:46:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/1 "2006-03-12T16:46:00Z")
For several years now I’ve come across the word “props” in posts on the SDMB used in a context that suggests praise. I never heard of the word used in that manner in real life until several days ago when a BMX enthusiast told me that he received props for a new trick. Yesterday I drew my 14 year old daughter’s attention to the word and she tells me that she’s quite familiar with it in the context that I’m talking about The word used in that context does not appear on Mirriam Webster Online. [Dictionary.com](http://Dictionary.com) defines the word as “proper respect” which doesn’t seem like a satisfactory definition to me. Does anyone know how,why where and when the word originated and give a better definition? ---
**Author:** ![Tourt\_Eroglik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@Tourt\_Eroglik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tourt_Eroglik)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/2 "2006-03-12T16:50:21Z")
a) that’s been around for a while… where have you been? b) your [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) definition sounds good to me c) for such things, use [urbandictionary.com](http://urbandictionary.com), not a proper dictionary! ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/3 "2006-03-12T16:53:57Z")
> [@The Flying Dutchman](#): > > …Dictionary.com defines the word as “proper respect” which doesn’t seem like a satisfactory definition to me. Based on where I first heard it, that sounds quite accurate. It was something that rappers would do, something of a vocal “special thanks to” section of their albums. I can’t say whether it was a creation of rap music or the culture from which it sprang, but my guess would be the latter. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/4 "2006-03-12T16:55:20Z")
So, is a prop anything like a kudo? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/5 "2006-03-12T17:02:15Z")
> [@Dahnlor](#): > > Based on where I first heard it, that sounds quite accurate. It was something that rappers would do, something of a vocal “special thanks to” section of their albums. I can’t say whether it was a creation of rap music or the culture from which it sprang, but my guess would be the latter. “Propers” long predates rap. It appears in [_Respect_](http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/proudfamily/respect.htm) (1967) by Aretha Franklin: > [@](#): > > I’m about to give you all of my money > And all I’m askin’ in return, honey > Is to give me my propers > When you get home (Some versions of the lyrics give “profits,” but it’s clear from the recording that it’s “propers.”) ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/6 "2006-03-12T17:17:59Z")
> [@Tourt Eroglik](#): > > a) that’s been around for a while… where have you been? > b) your [dictionary.com](http://dictionary.com) definition sounds good to me > c) for such things, use [urbandictionary.com](http://urbandictionary.com), not a proper dictionary! If you’re going to refer to it, why not give a link to the definition?: > **[Urban Dictionary: props](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=props)** > > Slang term for "accolades", "proper respect", or "just dues". Popularized in the 1980s by rappers who shortened the term "propers" which was in turn being used as an abbreviated version of "proper respect" at least by the 1960s. The increase in this... The consensus is it means respect or recognition, and is derived from “proper respect.” ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/7 "2006-03-12T17:18:34Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > So, is a prop anything like a kudo? [Kudos](http://www.answers.com/topic/kudos): > [@](#): > > _ **USAGE NOTE** Kudos_ is one of those words like _congeries_ that look like plurals but are etymologically singular. Acknowledging the Greek history of the term requires _Kudos is_ (not are) _due her for her brilliant work on the score…_ The singular _kudo_ remains far less common than the plural use; both are often viewed as incorrect in more formal contexts. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/8 "2006-03-12T17:21:59Z")
> [@The Flying Dutchman](#): > > For several years now I’ve come across the word “props” in posts on the SDMB used in a context that suggests praise. I never heard of the word used in that manner in real life until several days ago The word has been around and used that way since at least the early 90s, perhaps longer. Naughty By Nature “Hip-Hop Hooray” (1993) I give props to Hip Hop so Hip Hop hooray…ho…hey…ho! Wu-Tang Clan “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”(1993) cuz I got to get my props, and win it yo Cypress Hill “Insane in the Brain” (1993) Soon I got to get my props Cops come and try to Snatch my crops These pigs wanna blow my House down Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) Dr. Evil: Don’t mess with me. I’m one crazy mo-fo. I once popped a cop cause he wasn’t giving my props in Oak town. No? I’ve heard that somewhere. Made (2001) Vince Vaughn: He spoke to me. OK, what do you expect me to do in that situation like that, just diss him? Sean Combs: Diss? Diss?! Let me tell you something mother F’er. You’re in no position to diss or give props, or whatever your MTV Real World sense of F’in decorum tells you to do. ---
**Author:** ![Fish\_Cheer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fish_cheer/32/17179_2.png) [@Fish\_Cheer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish_Cheer)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2006, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/9 "2006-03-12T18:45:31Z")
> [@Johnny L.A.](#): > > Acknowledging the Greek history of the term (…) Kudos All these years, I thought that it was of Japanese origin. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/10 "2006-03-13T06:13:37Z")
I’ve never come across the term either, so don’t feel like you’re the only one. But I thought for years that the urban term “hood” referred to some kind of head wear. I had heard it occasionally but not enough to put context clues together. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2006, 9:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/props-where-when-did-this-word-suddenly-appear/348051/11 "2006-03-13T09:43:16Z")
Tourt Eroglik writes: \> a) that’s been around for a while… where have you been? It hasn’t been around that long, and it isn’t really that generally known. It may well have been known in the hip-hop community for fifteen years, but it hasn’t crossed over into the general American population. It’s not like “bling,” which is now well known enough generally that you can be embarrassed when your grandmother uses it.