The term "homeboy" derrives from "homie", and each of those terms have been shortened down overtime as "homes", or sometimes spelled "
holmes". The term was started by
Mexican-Americans living in the barrios of Los Angeles, most commonly
said in East Los Angeles. The term refers to friends/companions living in the same neigborhood as eachother. Which is why "HOME" is started before boy, thus creating "homeboy".
Person 1: Aye whats happening homeboy?
Person 2: nothing just chilling, you?
Person 1: about to go to Rob's
house...
Person 2: who that? is he a homeboy?
Person 1:
Nah... just some
foo i kick it with from Grape Street.