1. (n.) A nickname for the town
Franklin, Tennessee.
2. (adj.) Of or referring to the town of
Franklin.
3. (interj.) A word in a chant typically made by students of Franklin High
School, usually in conjunction with a interrogative pronoun; i.e. "Franktown WHAT?"
Etymology: The rapper Cadence (now
DJ Cadence), a graduate of
Franklin High, coined this word some years ago, most likely in 2002. The word is a neologism based on the word "
Franklin," a picturesque and historic suburb of roughly 35,000 inhabitants just south of Nashville, Tennessee.
Use: It should be noted that in every part of speech that it takes on, the word "Franktown" carries a certain connotation of gangstaness, though said quality is usually pretended for the amusement of the speaker and/or his/her listeners. Ironically, many of the subjects about which Cadence raps, including tough streets and widespread violence, are by far the exception rather than the rule in Franklin, a generally peaceful and quiet city which stands as a monument to the harmonious integration of past, present, and future ways of life.
"When I say Franktown, you say TENNIE!" --Cadence, stage
banter ('Tennie', which refers to Tennessee, is analogous to 'Franktown')
"And when you come to Franktown,
don't forget yo' bulletproof!" --Cadence, unknown
song