2 definitions by Pseudonommers
Saying that someone or something is "85" is a colloquial way of implying paranoia.
The phrase originated in Detroit, where gang members would tag houses to be burgled with the number 80, the jersey number of famed football hall-of-famer Jack Butler, a nod to the Steelers cornerback's ability to break through any defense.
Over time, the phrase was generalized to refer to anything that was going to be hit: a snitch, a rival gang, or a deserting member of the crew. Around the same time, the phrase "five by five" became a common way of expressing well-being. Some started using that phrase sardonically, and referring to oneself as "five by five" was eventually understood to mean that the person wasn't doing well.
In the 90s, the idea of being "an 80" and the sarcastic "five by five" merged; people began referring to people who were afraid of being targeted by gang violence as "85."
The phrase originated in Detroit, where gang members would tag houses to be burgled with the number 80, the jersey number of famed football hall-of-famer Jack Butler, a nod to the Steelers cornerback's ability to break through any defense.
Over time, the phrase was generalized to refer to anything that was going to be hit: a snitch, a rival gang, or a deserting member of the crew. Around the same time, the phrase "five by five" became a common way of expressing well-being. Some started using that phrase sardonically, and referring to oneself as "five by five" was eventually understood to mean that the person wasn't doing well.
In the 90s, the idea of being "an 80" and the sarcastic "five by five" merged; people began referring to people who were afraid of being targeted by gang violence as "85."
by Pseudonommers January 3, 2019
Saying that someone or something is "85" is a colloquial way of implying paranoia.
The phrase originated in Detroit, where gang members would tag houses to be burgled with the number 80, the jersey number of famed football hall-of-famer Jack Butler, a nod to the Steelers cornerback's ability to break through any defense.
Over time, the phrase was generalized to refer to anything that was going to be hit: a snitch, a rival gang, or a deserting member of the crew. Around the same time, the phrase "five by five" became a common way of expressing well-being. Some started using that phrase sardonically, and referring to oneself as "five by five" was eventually understood to mean that the person wasn't doing well.
In the 90s, the idea of being "an 80" and the sarcastic "five by five" merged; people began referring to people who were afraid of being targeted by gang violence as "85."
The phrase originated in Detroit, where gang members would tag houses to be burgled with the number 80, the jersey number of famed football hall-of-famer Jack Butler, a nod to the Steelers cornerback's ability to break through any defense.
Over time, the phrase was generalized to refer to anything that was going to be hit: a snitch, a rival gang, or a deserting member of the crew. Around the same time, the phrase "five by five" became a common way of expressing well-being. Some started using that phrase sardonically, and referring to oneself as "five by five" was eventually understood to mean that the person wasn't doing well.
In the 90s, the idea of being "an 80" and the sarcastic "five by five" merged; people began referring to people who were afraid of being targeted by gang violence as "85."
"What's this CKG machine, what's this sh*t on her toes / This '94, I'm 85, so I'm spooked as can be / I'm praying and I'm asking why he do this to me"
- Nelly
- Nelly
by Pseudonommers February 8, 2018