Homie
From Free net encyclopedia
- For the In Living Color character, see Homey the Clown.
Homie or homey, sometimes homes (used in the singular) is slang for friend. For example, "My homie is coming over later." Also used in the form of homeboy and homegirl, which are sometimes shortened to simply boy and girl. When shortened to boy or girl it is often preceded by the possessive "my".
Most likely derived from the Spanish word hombre.This term is usually used by the urban crowd. It is also possible that the word was derived from the Polari word omi, meaning man.
The word was the inspiration for a line of small, plastic figurines called "Homies". Homies can be bought for 50 cents in gumball-style machines, or in sets at retail stores, including Tower Records.
Derogatory Usage
In Australia (at least in Western Australia) the term homie or homies may also be used as a derogatory term for groups of teenagers/young-adults often skipping school or unemployed, who often congregate around shopping centres, fast food outlets and major public transport hubs. Similar to the English term Chav, and sharing characteristics with the Australian term bogan.
The major difference between homies and bogans is due to music taste and dress. Where bogans tend to favour rock, and dark or all black (not gothic) clothing such as tight black jeans and a black Metallica t-shirt, homies are more likely to listen to rap or hip hop and be wearing clothes such as tracksuits, baggy jeans, conspicuous belts, shirts bearing brand names or sleeveless shirts. This aside the other anti-social aspects of the stereotype are similar.
In many places the generation X bogans have been replaced/displaced by the generation Y homies. If a fight breaks out, the stereotypical bogan is more likely to fight barefist, whereas the homie may choose to fight with knives and/or other weapons. Homies may also be referred to as "wannabe gangstas" or "tryhard gangstas".
It should also be noted that the term is not exclusively derogatory in Australia, and it depends on who is being referred to. The usage described above, as a term for a friend, is also used. However, people who use the term homie as a term for their friend, are those most likely to be referred to as homies in the derogatory sense, by those outside their circle or age group.