on turf
"On turf" is a shortened version of "I put that on the turf", which originally means "I swear on my neighborhood". To elaborate, it means you are so sure of your statement that you'd give away your neighborhood to an enemy gang if you'd prove to be wrong (although, it's mostly a figure of speech because nobody will spend time fact-checking your statement). This term likely has its roots in California hoods (like Compton, Watts, and Long Beach), where the street or general area one is brought up in tends to be closely tied to one's identity.
"On set" (short for "I put that on the set") may be used as a synonym. Both terms were originally often used in context similar to "on gang", "on God" or "on my momma". Nowadays, they're more commonly used as expressions of hype, along the lines of "that's what's up".
"On set" (short for "I put that on the set") may be used as a synonym. Both terms were originally often used in context similar to "on gang", "on God" or "on my momma". Nowadays, they're more commonly used as expressions of hype, along the lines of "that's what's up".
Historical use: All we' got out here's a bunch of liquor stores and gun stores. On turf, they don't want to see us win.
Contemporary use:
1) It's goin' down tonight at the party! It's goin' be lit, on turf!
2) On turf, if she won't let a nigga hit tonight...
3) I' just been out here hustlin' tryna' come up. I don't wish harm on nobody innocent, and I put that on turf.
Contemporary use:
1) It's goin' down tonight at the party! It's goin' be lit, on turf!
2) On turf, if she won't let a nigga hit tonight...
3) I' just been out here hustlin' tryna' come up. I don't wish harm on nobody innocent, and I put that on turf.
on turf by PoetLaureate October 24, 2020
