# Who was the first to "drop science"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 13, 2002, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425 "2002-04-13T11:16:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![kermix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/278dde/32.png) [@kermix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kermix)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425/1 "2002-04-13T11:16:31Z")

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A friend and I were wondering about the exact origin of the slang, as he had heard it first from me. I can’t imagine it would be easy to figure out who said it first, except by the lyrics on any number of rap albums. But I figured it would be worth a shot.

Kmx.

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**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425/2 "2002-04-13T11:32:25Z")

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“don’t try to sing this  
some drop science; while i’m droppin english”

- That’s from NWA (Dr. Dre, specifically) 1988. This particular line leads me to believe that someone had “dropped science” prior to 1988. A good lead to go on would probably be KRS-ONE/BDP. It’s interesting to note that, in 1988, both KRS-ONE and NWA used the line “it’s not about a salary it’s all about reality,” so maybe there was a little bi-coastal lyric sharing going on there.

On second thought, I may be way off here, I just checked the rap dictionary and it has this to say:

> [@](#):
>
> drop science, drop knowledge  
> (v) To demonstrate wisdom or skill. “I’m droppin’ science” – 7a3 (Coolin’ in Cali) [1988]

So I guess, unless you find a usage prior to 1988, this is what you were looking for.

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**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425/3 "2002-04-13T11:33:58Z")

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By the way, welcome to the Straight Dope 😃

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**Author:** ![dalovindj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/65b543/32.png) [@dalovindj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalovindj)\
**Post date:** [April 13, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-was-the-first-to-drop-science/103425/4 "2002-04-13T18:02:07Z")

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It’s KRS-One who is famous for that line. Sublime made a whole song thanking him! From the song “Ode to KRS-One”:

> [@](#):
>
> In school they never taught 'bout hamburgers or steak,  
> Elijah Mohammed or the welfare state.  
> But I know.  
> And I know because of KRS-ONE.  
> Yeah and I know  
> And I know because of KRS-ONE.
> 
> Because he’s droppin’, droppin’, droppin’ science, droppin history  
> With a whole leap of style and intelligency  
> Yes, I know.  
> And I know because of KRS-ONE  
> Yeah, and I know  
> I know

Chalk that one up to East Coast kid!

DaLovin’ Dj