# Safety meeting, as in 420 **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 28, 2002, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061 "2002-04-28T04:45:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Road\_Rash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@Road\_Rash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Road_Rash)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/1 "2002-04-28T04:45:25Z")
I first thought it to be local skater slang for getting together for a “smoke,” but I have certainly heard it used by others in the city surrounding areas, and elsewhere. Did the term originate elswhere? Is it used elswhere? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/2 "2002-04-28T05:21:33Z")
About a hundred years ago ;), when I worked in construction, it meant having a beer or two in the nearest liquor store parking lot. Toward the end of the day someone would say “Safety meeting at the 7-11.” We were _so_ cool. 🆒 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mdf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dbc845/32.png) [@mdf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mdf)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/3 "2002-04-28T05:56:18Z")
Although I hadn’t heard the ‘Safety meeting’ part, [This link](http://www.google.com/search?q=+420+OR+i-420&hl=en&as_qdr=all&start=10&sa=N) has many references to 420 and smoking weed. It’s still a fairly underground expression around here, and I don’t really grok the relationship between the number and the act. Maybe there’s more in one of the Google links - I haven’t checked that deep. -mdf ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_Bowe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/df788c/32.png) [@Doug\_Bowe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_Bowe)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/4 "2002-04-28T06:06:22Z")
I think this has come up on the boards before. > **[Is Your Teen Using Drugs? Look for These Warning Signs](https://www.verywellfamily.com/teen-drug-use-warning-signs-2606192)** > > Recognizing the signs of drug use isn't easy due to the range of drugs available. Learn to identify the signs and gather tips on addressing the issue. * * * According to Steven Hager, editor of High Times, the term 420 originated at San Rafael High School, in 1971, among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking wiseacres who called themselves the Waldos, who are now pushing 50. The term was shorthand for the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to smoke pot. Intent on developing their own discreet language, they made 420 code for a time to get high, and its use spread among members of an entire generation. While our teens feel that they know something we don’t, you can let them in on the fact that it was your generation that came up with the numbers. A quote from one of the Waldos in the High Times article states, “We did discover we could talk about getting high in front of our parents without them knowing by using the phrase 420.” Fortunately, your teenagers will not have that same option. * * * ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/5 "2002-04-28T06:23:14Z")
I think **Road Rash** is asking about the ‘safety meeting’ part, not the 420 part. Unless I misunderstand the comma. 😕 Is that correct, RR? Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Road\_Rash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a8b319/32.png) [@Road\_Rash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Road_Rash)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2002, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/safety-meeting-as-in-420/106061/6 "2002-04-28T13:47:01Z")
I was referring to the expression “safety meeting.” “420” is incredibly common. They even have shops called “420” that sell accesories now.