Sometimes blocks of government housing (cheap and of poor-quality so as to house the poor and needy) are called ghetto becuase these poor people resort to crime and stuff to get money. Because the whole block (usually there are several) is poor and criminal, it can't even be apprached by authorities in some cases because it is so derelict and vile. The government is now taking action and trying to get a mix of poor and rich and middle class people into these houses to even out the mix so it isn't so ghetto or derelict.
From the song "Supa Star" by Group Home
Born in the ghetto it's hard to survive
Some have achieved and many brothers tried
But I realized which life to choose
I wanna make money so I gotta pay dues
But there's no rules and you only have one chance
If ya f*** up kid you face the circumstance
At night I use to scream and shout
Livin' in the ghetto trying to get the hell out
Born in the ghetto it's hard to survive
Some have achieved and many brothers tried
But I realized which life to choose
I wanna make money so I gotta pay dues
But there's no rules and you only have one chance
If ya f*** up kid you face the circumstance
At night I use to scream and shout
Livin' in the ghetto trying to get the hell out
by untouchable_95 May 11, 2009
by k1 February 23, 2005
you live in the ghetto
by dilpgh May 4, 2003
A place which apparently is cool to come from and live in, but at the same time something that everyone is trying to leave.
Guy 1: Yo nigga I lived in da ghetto. WORD.
Guy 2: What, is that something to be proud of?
*Walks away rolling eyes*
Guy 2: What, is that something to be proud of?
*Walks away rolling eyes*
by Mr. Angioni January 26, 2007
a run down poor side of town or when something is jerry-rigged and looks like it was made in ahalf-assed fashion.
1. That side of town is a ghetto.
2. Replacing a broken window with a trashbag and ducttape is ghetto.
2. Replacing a broken window with a trashbag and ducttape is ghetto.
by DennisIsEvil October 15, 2005
This is an {URBAN} dictionary, so I reject that others try to force literal, mainstream definitions of slang on the words defined here. With that said, ghetto is not just a place where Jews were segregated in the past, it is also a way of thinking and behavior evolved from living in a physical ghetto. BECAUSE there are so many listings with ghetto linked to them, it is a FACT that people associate ghetto with not just a blighted area, but also a condition, an association with people, objects, and behavior not considered 'acceptable,' or 'proper' by mainstream society.
John lives in the ghetto.
Man, why you gotta be actin all ghetto?
That hoopty is straight up ghetto.
Man, why you gotta be actin all ghetto?
That hoopty is straight up ghetto.
by destardi June 17, 2006
A section of a city to which an entire ethnic or economically depressed group is is restricted; as by poverty or social pressure.
Ghetto can be broken down into three ideoms; Social (isolated) Economical (industrial) and Legal (having to go aganst authoritied in order to make ends meet
by Ashlee May 1, 2003