A phrase generally used in the hip hop lexicon. It describes not only an action, but also a general attitude. The term was originally used in this sense by the rapper
E-40. When used by E-40, and many other hip hop artists including Three
6 Mafia in their song Poppin My Collar, the term refers to the act of pulling
one's collar, or the clothing where
one's collar would be (as when wearing a t-shirt), with the thumb and fingertips.
One then releases the clothing in varying degrees of flamboyance. Used in this sense, "
poppin' ya collar" is more about the attitude and message of confidence portrayed in so doing than any clothing style (see upturned collar). E-40 immortalized the term (and the accompanying attitude), in his song Pop Ya Collar from his album
Loyalty and Betrayal.