Noun/Verb - Signifyin' is a form of street poetry used in the African-American community. Using a rhyme structure, it often contains a series of taunts or boasts. Soemtimes called "playin' the dozens".
As spoken by Rudy Ray Moore (aka Dolemite):
The Signifyin' Monkey
Way down in the jungle deep,
The bad ass lion stepped on the signifyin monkey's feet.
The monkey said, "Muthafucka, can't you see?
Why, you standin on my goddamn feet!"
The Signifyin' Monkey
Way down in the jungle deep,
The bad ass lion stepped on the signifyin monkey's feet.
The monkey said, "Muthafucka, can't you see?
Why, you standin on my goddamn feet!"
by The Original OG May 23, 2003
The root of the word is "sign", as in pronouncing or interpreting "signs" of the future or important spiritual symbols. This must be related to African or Afro-American religious and spiritual practices involving the serious disucssion of divine signs and their meanings.
In a more general sense, if someone is said to be "signifyin"", it may mean that they are taking themselves to seriously by holding forth on deep portentious subjects in a self-important manner.
One might be describing pretentious intellectualizing or over-bearing preaching about matters which should make us humble by their mystery.
In a more general sense, if someone is said to be "signifyin"", it may mean that they are taking themselves to seriously by holding forth on deep portentious subjects in a self-important manner.
One might be describing pretentious intellectualizing or over-bearing preaching about matters which should make us humble by their mystery.
When asked to sign a timesheet at work, the manager said, "Sure.. in Heberew or English ?"
On which a passing co-worker commented, "There he goes signifyin' again."
Since I happen to be Jewish, I know exactly what he meant.
On which a passing co-worker commented, "There he goes signifyin' again."
Since I happen to be Jewish, I know exactly what he meant.
by Jane September 6, 2003
Story of the Signifyin' Monkey who tells the lion (King of the jungle, that in a nearby well, there is a potent adversary. The lion looks down into the well, sees his reflection and growls. When he takes the echo of his own roar to be a challenge he jumps into the well to attack the supposed adversary.
This defuses his power at no cost to the monkey.
This defuses his power at no cost to the monkey.
by helloboyd July 26, 2008
To purposefully point out physical characteristics, race, religion, sexual orientation of friends and acquaintances in such a manner as to embarrass or belittle them.
by chuckjav76 July 8, 2023