# what's the deal with Drop the Mic? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 15, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184 "2017-01-15T01:36:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f1d935/32.png) [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/1 "2017-01-15T01:36:16Z")
Where or when did this thing start? What’s it supposed to mean or signify? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/2 "2017-01-15T01:50:16Z")
I dunno, but as a former sound guy, I find it offensive if it’s meant literally. Those suckers are fragile and expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/3 "2017-01-15T01:57:16Z")
Wikipedia article on mic dropping: [Mic drop - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mic_drop) ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/4 "2017-01-15T01:58:29Z")
Not sure when it started, but I request that it end today. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/5 "2017-01-15T01:59:07Z")
I’m offended by the cutesy “mic” spelling. [Mike, dammit](http://www.sambayer.com/tirades/whymike.html)! ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/6 "2017-01-15T02:55:29Z")
Not only is the mic fragile, but the sharp transients of it hitting the floor can fuck up your PA gear. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/7 "2017-01-15T04:06:57Z")
It’s like an exclamation point to say you won. Pretty sure it comes from rap battles where one guy would drop the mic when he was finished rather then hand it to the other guy. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-drop-the-mic/777184/8 "2017-01-15T15:21:54Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I dunno, but as a former sound guy, I find it offensive if it’s meant literally. Those suckers are fragile and expensive. Yeah, I used to work as a sound guy with someone else’s equipment. I was told if they drop a mic once (it was just done out of carelessness back then), they get the [Electro-Voice 635A](http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Electro-Voice/635A). And if you get a chance to swap it in mid-set, do it. You can drive nails with a 635A. I saw my employer demonstrate this, then mic a guitar cab with it. It also doesn’t have the fullest, richest sound. So, yeah. Unless you brought your own mic, don’t do this anymore. It doesn’t prove anything, and if the sound guy is paying attention you’re going to get a less than stellar mic the next time you’re handed one.