Music
homeboy
What does homeboy mean?
Chicano/English term for a close friend from the neighborhood; also 'homie' or 'homes.'
"Ese es mi homeboy desde la secundaria."
Origin
Rooted in early-to-mid 20th-century Black and Latino American speech for someone from your home turf, it exploded into the mainstream through late-70s and 80s hip-hop and South Central L.A. street culture.
Frequently asked questions
What does homeboy mean in slang?
It means a close friend from your own neighborhood or hometown, or more broadly any trusted male buddy from your crew.
Where did homeboy come from?
From Black and Latino American vernacular for a person from your home area; it spread nationally via 70s-80s hip-hop and West Coast street slang.
Is homeboy still used today?
Yes, though it now reads as classic and slightly retro; 'homie' became the more common everyday short form.
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