Not precisely within the remit of the question
I've just been listening to some rap music (naturally, as I am a middle-class white girl) and I remembered something that perturbed me when I first encountered it, and continues to do so to this very day.

Namely, the practice of referring to one's lover/paramour/intended sexual conquest as 'momma' or 'daddy', for example, see LL Cool J's 'Oh Momma That's Right', and myriad other usages.

Why? What the hell be wrong with these fools? My only conclusion is that individuals displaying Oedipus/Electra complexes abound in the urban musical community.

It's sick. Sick, I tell you.

Really, though, I don't get it, and it does make me feel a bit queasy.
(jennymnemonic, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 20:27, 9 replies)

This, and calling your girlfriend 'baby girl'. Not quite the same, but still a bit odd.
(skrinklelada, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 21:08, closed)

The thing I really don't get
is why women are so often referred to by rappers as 'shorty', or 'shawty' as you're apparently supposed to spell it.

I didn't notice it until 50 Cent came up with "go shawty, it's your birthday, gonna party like it's your birthday" but it seems to be everywhere since then. Selective awareness on my part, or something?
( Dave McF wrote some words on, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 21:15, closed)

the first time I heard the expression
was a youtube clip of Hugh Laurie on the Ellen DeGeneres show being bewildered by it
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 21:22, closed)

Ah yes
My main memory of that clip was thinking "fucking hell, I forgot he's one of us"... been watching House way too much.
( Dave McF wrote some words on, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 21:29, closed)

it's on The Wire too...
Shorty is used for birds, and also for younguns.
( Sallyrsm, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 22:02, closed)

I can only offer one explanation:
that niggaz be trippin.
(apeloverage committed the vile act of onanism on, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 21:50, closed)

Y'all feel me?
( flake has nothing against your right leg, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 1:07, closed)

I think you'll find
it's foo's. Or fooz. I dunno. But the 'l' is made conspicuous by its absence.
( Happy Phantom has been to Hastings, Brighton, and Eastbourne too, Wed 14 Apr 2010, 22:49, closed)

I have never understood this
The whole "call me daddy", "who's your daddy" thing.

Girls should respond by saying "Well done!" to a guy after sex if he says that.
( Je suis un vagabond is an unfunny, up your own arse middle class knob, Thu 15 Apr 2010, 9:07, closed)