Formerly possessed by the African-American community it slipped into the hands of wiggers at some point during the nineties. Sometime after this, it briefly appeared as though the word would be adapted into the white lexicon. However, it never gained the mainstream usage of other black words/phrases. Today, it is still used by the aforementioned wiggers (though usage of "truth" or some bastardization are common as well). A recent trend in usage can also be found among "above the fray" whites using irony (because you wouldn't expect them to say it, get it?). Which brings us to, "That staff meeting/ABBA concert was tight." "Word!"
Note: In the event of white usage, the word must be said with stereotypical "black" intonations. Also note that whites very rarely use "word" in the form of a question.
1. A recognizable combination of letters of any alphabet which embody a concept and used in sentences to convey meaning.
2. A slang term for "promise of truth" derived from "Word of Honor" or "Word is my bond" and shortened for convenience to simply "word".
3. A slang term for "absolute truth" derived from biblical reference to the "Word of God" or the Bible itself.
4. A slang term for an affirmative response or agreement.
5. A slang term for "you're not kidding" and "you can say that again" created because gangstas are too lazy and cool to say those nerdy phrases.
In some religious masses (e.g. Roman Catholic), a section from the gospel is spoken aloud to the parish. At the conclusion of the scripture reading a chant is started by the priest. He says βThe word of the lordβ and the congregation responds βthanks be to godβ. The expression βwordβ is a truncation of that phrase and it is said in agreement to a statement β a statement that bears some resemblance to gospel. It is intended to elevate the previously said phrase to a higher standard of truth.
Related Expressions: βPeaceβ β also from Christian mass the phrase βPeace be with youβ is exchanged between parishioners following the Our Father.
A versatile declaration, originating (more or less) in hip-hop culture.
"Word" has no single meaning, but is used to convey a casual sense of affirmation, acknowledgement, agreement, or to indicate that something has impressed you favorably.
Its usage among young blacks has been parodied ad nauseam among clueless suburban whites.