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In 1971, five high school students – Steve Capper, Dave Reddix, Jeffrey Noel, Larry Schwartz, and Mark Gravich – in San Rafael, California, calling themselves the Waldos because "their chosen hang-out spot was a wall outside the school", used the term in connection with a 1971 plan to search for an abandoned cannabis crop that they had learned about, based on a treasure map made by the grower. The Waldos designated the Louis Pasteur statue on the grounds of San Rafael High School as their meeting place, and 4:20 p.m. as their meeting time. The Waldos referred to this plan with the phrase "4:20 Louis". After several failed attempts to find the crop, the group eventually shortened their phrase to simply "4:20", which ultimately evolved into a code-word that the teens used to mean consuming cannabis.

Mike Edison says that Steven Hager of High Times was responsible for taking the story about the Waldos to "mind-boggling, cult-like extremes" and "suppressing" all other stories about the origin of the term. Hager wrote "Stoner Smart or Stoner Stupid?", in which he attributed the early spread of the phrase to Grateful Dead followers – after Reddix became a roadie for the Dead's bassist, Phil Lesh – and called for 4:20 p.m. to be the socially accepted hour of the day to consume cannabis.
Mike: See you at 420!

Steve: Word.
420 by CannabisKings April 3, 2019
So far the majority of you are incorrect.
420's origin IS known.
the term 420 originated at San Rafael High School, in 1971, among a group of about a dozen pot-smoking wiseacres who called themselves the Waldos, who are now pushing 50. The term was shorthand for the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to smoke pot. Intent on developing their own discreet language, they made 420 code for a time to get high, and its use spread among members of an entire generation.
So there ya go, someone's parents out there invented the term 4/20.
And remember this:
There are NOT 420 chemicals in Weed. It's about 315, the num. goes up or down depending on what you're smoking.
4/20 is NOT police code or Maryjane.
And that whole shit about Holland and 4/20 over there being "tea time" for smokers isn't true either.

I know my shit.
420 by Brandy. April 18, 2003
In 1971, a group of stoners at San Rafael High School, California, coined this word. It was originally 420 Louis, meaning they planned to smoke weed by the Louis Pasteur statue by their school (btw Louis Pasteur was a hygene expert just fyi) and they said it as like a code word so that they could talk about weed around their parents / teachers and they would not know what the hell they were going on a bout!!! They may have been trying to track down a hidden crop aswell, although that is a bit debated and may be in fact an urban myth. But hey, this is Urban Dictionary, so yea! And then the phrase gained use thanks to the Greatful Dead who publicised it in the 70s and 80s. Today, 44 years down the track, the Waldos are given full credit for coining the term and it still means weed. It is mainly used for fun, secrecy, ritual and protest. A lot of people who smoke weed have a lot of fun with this word, and nobody else really knows wtf they are saying! ... (except their hippy parents!!!!!!! lol oops!)
Oh hey dude, there was this one time at Dennys, I was like super super stoned, I think it might have been after 420!

420 is both a time and a day - It's 4:20 (20 past 4)), or Happy 4/20 (20th of April)

Let's go out on 420 at 420 for some 420ing!!!!!!!!
420 by sagibitchascent420 February 2, 2016
Common misconceptions point to crazy theories about weed but the truth is it is actuly a number between 419 and 421.
Guy 1: I counted to 420 today!
Guy 2: Sooo you want to get stoned?
Guy 1: What? What the fuck does that have to do with anything?
420 by Toxic Ninja October 28, 2006
420 is 42 the meaning of life some say but a 0 added to the end the 0 is post to show weed. 420 can be used to like smoke weed or something
You: im going to have some 420
420 by Know Your Memes November 23, 2018
420, indeed, was thought of years ago as the time of day some people got together to smoke pot. Now it is used as code for "Let's go get high." Also, some people consider it to be April 20th that is "National Pot Smoking Day."
I prefer all of the above.
Dude, 420, let's go.
420 by Lonnie September 29, 2004
Word of the Day on April 20, 2006
More from Urban Dictionary
Literally "dirty" pronounced with a West Indian accent. Can also have a positive connotation, for example Sean Paul's album title "Dutty Rock".
"The girl is pretty but she corrupt and dutty!"

or, in a positive usage:

"Booya! That freestyle was dutty!"
Dutty by J Hall April 3, 2003
Word of the Day on October 1, 2026
korean word for madam, older woman
Ajumma wait a moment
Ajumma by aintnotinbutnice July 5, 2009
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Slop Grenade

When someone uses AI to generate a large document, slide deck, or piece of code/software and tosses it over the fence for you to deal with.
Chad: Hey Brent I sent you the new backend API change to review, it’s only 100 files changed.

Brent: he just tossed me a slop grenade
Slop Grenade by Joe Squid September 28, 2026
Word of the Day on September 29, 2026
Short-hand for the word floccinaucinihilipilification, meaning the estimation of something as valueless (encountered mainly as an example of one of the longest words in the English language).
After we broke up, he was floxi to me.
floxi by Dr. Geek May 13, 2009
Word of the Day on September 28, 2026
NYC people who migrate north to Quahog, RI to see the leaves in the fall.
New York and everyone from there can fornicate themselves with an iron stick.
leafers by ss++ February 8, 2005
Word of the Day on September 27, 2026

Respectfully 

Precedes or follows either a gratuitously disrespectful or honest remark, originated in New York City. Used in similar fashion to "no offense" or "to be honest," interchangeably.
Ya mans is wild buns, respectfully. Respectfully he's washed.

After school, The Modells on Jamaica Ave was active. Respectfully.
Respectfully by john quan the first December 20, 2020
Word of the Day on September 26, 2026
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