Music
biting
What does biting mean?
More generally, copying any idea or move and claiming it as original.
"That crew's been biting our routine all season."
Origin
A core ethic of late-70s and 80s hip-hop, where originality was everything; 'biting' named the cardinal sin of stealing another's rhymes, dance moves, or style.
Frequently asked questions
What does biting mean in slang?
It means copying or stealing someone else's rhymes, style, or moves and passing them off as your own, a major taboo in hip-hop.
Where did biting come from?
From 70s-80s hip-hop culture, which prized originality above all; biting became the word for the unforgivable act of copying.
Why is biting such an insult in hip-hop?
Because the culture was built on innovation and proving your own skill, so stealing another's work destroyed your credibility.
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