HISTORICALLY BLACK PHRASES
FROM "I AIN'T ONE OF YOUR LIL' FRIENDS" TO "WHO ALL GON' BE THERE?"
By jarrett hill & Tre’vell Anderson
“This perfect blend of explanation, definition and social commentary will have you laughing while learning.”
—George M. Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren’t Blue and We Are Not Broken
A fun and thoughtful dictionary of Black language you didn’t know you needed, Historically Black Phrases is a love letter to the Black community and the ways it drives culture.
ABOUT HISTORICALLY BLACK PHRASES
Black vernacular doesn’t often get its due—despite its enormous influence on mainstream culture—but Historically Black Phrases is here to give Black language its flowers. A celebration of more than two hundred staples of Black conversation—from church sayings and units of measure to compliments and reprimands—this sharp and witty guide explores the unique importance of Black expression and communication. Historically Black Phrases offers definitions and notable pop culture moments, as well as tips on pronunciation and usage of phrases like “feelin’ yourself,” “don’t get it twisted,” and “pop off.” In addition to the phrases, short essays offer insight on different facets of Black language from scholars, entertainers, and pop culture commentators (i.e., everybody and they mama).
Authors, journalists, and hosts of the award-winning podcast FANTI, jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson examine each phrase with humor and cultural precision, making Historically Black Phrases a vital ode to how Black language influences the world.
Press contact: Natalie Yera, nyera@penguinrandomhouse.com
THE PEOPLE ARE TALKING…
Meet the Authors
jarrett hill
journalist, author, professor
Tre’vell Anderson
journalist, authoress, social curator
click author photos for full bios
Blair Imani
“The endless creative contributions of the Black community continue to be written off and dismissed—yet Historically Black Phrases fearlessly challenges this pattern. Black English is not ‘slang’ or ‘Gen-Z lingo,’ it is a documented and legitimate language. With everything from pronunciation to the proper contextual usage, this book teaches readers how our community communicates—and has them laughing along the way.”
author of Read This to Get Smarter
Adrienne “Gammy” Banfield-Norris
Host of the Positively Gam podcast, co-host of Red Table Talk
“This colorful collection of words and phrases that connect us as a community and a culture reminds us that we do have a language—a lexicon that celebrates us and leaves us with a sense of camaraderie. With this book we are well reminded, with joy, who we are . . . Black and proud!”
Keith Boykin
New York Times bestselling author
“For anyone who has ever questioned the origin of the potato salad at the cookout or accused someone of reneging in a game of spades, Historically Black Phrases is for you. At a time when our culture is being widely appropriated, jarrett hill and Tre’vell Anderson give us a gift box of words filled with Black love, and they bring all the receipts. This book is a hilarious, provocative, empowering, informative, and inclusive celebration of Blackness.