What "Fly", "Fly Girl" & "Fly Guy" Mean In African American Slang

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: October 15, 2024 

This pancocojams post focuses on the meanings of African American Vernacular English terms "fly", "fly girl", and "fly guy".

The content of this post is provided for linguistic, folkloric, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note October 15, 2024: This pancocojams post was published in 2013.
As a result of reading comments that were from shared in this post's comment section,  including Anonymous who commented on October 15, 2024, I realize that I gave the wrong information about when the African American Vernacular English term "fly" was first used and I didn't correctly define the referent "fly guy".

Instead of changing the information that is given in this post, I've I've decided to publish an updated version of this post and I'lll add that link here. 

I encourage all readers of this post to take that into consideration and read the comments that are found below about what "fly" means.
 
****
WHAT "FLY" MEANS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN VERNACULAR ENGLISH 
"Fly" is an African American Vernacular English term adjective that was most often used in the late 1970s and 1980s by some African Americans, but is still used in Hip Hop and elsewhere in the 2000s.

The usual African American Vernacular English meaning of "fly" was and is "cool, "hip', "cool", "awesome", and "attractive". Being "hip" meant being "street wise", i.e. dressing in the latest fashions, and using the most up to date words and sayings, and otherwise being able to handle oneself in the streets. 

In the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s,  the most commonly used noun form of "fly" was "fly girl" (a female who is good looking, "sexy", and up to date with the latest African American street culture fashions and lingo. 

The term "fly guy" was used less often than fly girl. A fly guy was a male who was physically attractive. However, more importantly, a fly guy was a street wise male who was very successful in physically attracting and scoring sexually with females.

It should be noted that being "fly" doesn't have anything to do with drug usage (i.e. a person or a female who is high off of drugs).

****
HOW FLY GOT ITS SLANG MEANINGS [Revised October 10, 2020]
From http://www.word-detective.com/page/163/?3S9tVfvFI4TamAWNg4DADA&ved=0CB8QFjAC&usg=AFQjCNEBYbKDRQ7Pe3qZ236ksc_V4Fs6Lw&wpmp_switcher=desktop

October 23, 2011

Fly 
..."The adjective “fly” first appeared in slang with this sense of “sharp” or “in the know” in the early 19th century (“The rattling cove is fly; the coachman knows what we are about,” 1811); later in the century it also came to mean “dexterous, nimble” (“We’ll knap a fogle with fingers fly,” 1839). The “in the know” usage, which was originally largely confined to the criminal underworld, percolated out into general slang in the mid-19th century with the meaning of “smart, fashionable” and eventually “excellent, cool, attractive.” This sense took root in African-American slang in the mid-20th century, and was very common in rap and hip-hop culture starting in the 1980s or so.

Just where this use of “fly” as an adjective came from is a bit of a mystery. Most authorities regard it as most likely connected in some way to the verb “to fly” (from the Old English “fleogan,” from an Indo-European root meaning “to float or fly”), but no one has ever come up with a plausible explanation of the connection. (The noun “fly” originally meant simply “insect with wings,” and was applied to any insect that could fly, such as the butterfly.)

There are, of course, several theories about the origin of the adjective “fly.” Perhaps the simplest ties the “clever, in the know, not easily fooled” sense to the common fly, always vigilant and almost impossible to catch off-guard. The fact that this slang “fly” originated in the underworld, where scams and ruses were the rule and to let one’s guard down could be fatal, gives this theory some plausibility. Another theory, offered by the eminent slang etymologist Eric Partridge, suggests that this “fly” is actually a form of “fledge,” which we use to mean “mature” (as in “full-fledged”), but originally referred to a young bird that had grown enough feathers to fly. Since “fledge” is rooted in “fly” itself, we’re still in the ballpark with the verb “to fly” with that theory. Another theory suggests that “fly” was originally “fla,” a short form of “flash,” used in the 18th and 19th century as slang meaning “clever, in the know” (from “flash” meaning “intense light,” in this case a metaphor for intelligence)."

***
Excerpt #2 
From https://www.etymonline.com/word/fly#:~:text=slang%2C%20%22clever%2C%20alert%2C,a%20revival%20or%20a%20reinvention.

"fly (adj.)
 slang, "clever, alert, wide awake," by 1811, perhaps from fly (n.) on the notion of the insect being hard to catch. Other theories, however, trace it to fledge or flash. Slang use in 1990s might be a revival or a reinvention."
-snip-
The words "hip" and "cool" are quite similar in meaning to "clever, alert, and wide awake".

****

EXAMPLES OF THE SLANG MEANING OF "FLY" IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
-"Super Fly is a 1972 American blaxploitation crime drama film directed by Gordon Parks Jr. and starring Ron O'Neal as Youngblood Priest, an African American pimp and cocaine dealer who is trying to quit the underworld drug business. The film is well known for its soundtrack, written and produced by soul musician Curtis Mayfield. It was released on August 4, 1972.

O'Neal reprised his role as Youngblood Priest in the 1973 film Super Fly T.N.T., which he also directed. Producer Sig Shore directed a second sequel, The Return of Superfly, released in 1990, with Nathan Purdee as Priest. A remake was released in 2018."  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Fly_(1972_film)

**
Here's a portion of a comment that was sent in to this pancocojams post by Mambo207 on September 14
"... the term "fly" goes back to the 1970s. At least that's how it was in New York City. It had to do with being stylish; now, if you were ultra-stylish, then you would be considered Super Fly. Back in the 70s, there used to be a men's shop on 42nd Street called The Super Fly Boutique. Remember, there was also a film that came out in the 70s called Super Fly. It was about a drug dealer who was trying to get out of the business; however, he was "fly" because of his clothes, and his customized Eldorado pimpmobile. 

I've always liked this term, and I still use it today"
-end of quote

**
January 5, 1980 - Sugarhill Gang's Hip Hop record "Rappers Delight" was released.

Here's the line in that track that includes the word "fly":
"Check it out, I'm the C-A-S-A, the N-O-V-A,

And the rest is F-L-Y,"...

**
The phrase "fly girl" was popularized by the Boogie Boys' 1985 Hip-Hop record with that title.

Given the differing descriptions of the term "fly girl" in the lyrics of that Hip Hop record, my guess is that when that song was recorded, the slang meanings of "fly" hadn't become fixed yet. However, this verse by Romeo JD has received the most praise and best fits what a "fly girl" has come to mean in African American culture and elsewhere (judging from the comments in YouTube discussion threads of this song from women who said they were "fly girls" and still are "fly girls":

"[…]

A fly girl a fly girl a fly girl a fly girl

A fly girl a fly girl a fly girl a fly girl

{​​​A flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy [fades down]}​​​

A fly girl a fly girl a fly girl a fly girl

{​​​A flyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy [fades down]}​​​

[Romeo JD]

Well I'm Rome JD and I have learned

Fly girl is a name that you must earn

Fly girl's a girl who speak their mind

Some sneaky some freaky some mean some kind

Cold crush waves, fly Jheri curl

Gold watch, gold ring, and a neck full of pearls

Real slim waist, a made-up face

Head turns, eyes burn when she comes in the place

Perfume from France, put you in a trance

Fly enough to mingle, to fly dance

High-stakers, big money makers

Some fly girls are cold heart breakers

Bank accounts of unbelievable amounts

Very picky bout how their name's pronounced

Designer purse, leather mini skirt

Not a speck of dirt, can't help but flirt

She'll make you choke like you inhaled smoke

She gave you a number, it was dial-a-joke

You got a real nice voice, you'll be her choice

Till another man comes in a fly Rolls-Royce

The guys get jealous, how can you blame us?

You live a lifestyle of the rich and famous

To play your roll guys lose control

Picturin' you as a center fold

From the Rome JD, cest-la-vie

Each and every one a y'all too much for me

Could it be your style or the way you smile

That puts you on the top of the pile?

Queen of the Nile, o sweet child

Fly girl you drive me wild (you drive me wild)"
-snip-

 A sound file of the Boogie Boy's "Fly Girl" record is found below.

**
-1985-Plebblee Poo (female singer) -  A Fly Guy (Part 1and Part II)

**
-By at least Sept. 1991, as evidenced by Queen Latifah's Hip Hop record "Fly Girl", the word "fly" when used to describe a female clearly had the meanings “fine” (physically attractive), and "street wise" (able to handle oneself in urban street cultures). An excerpt of the lyrics of Queen Latifah's "Fly Girl" is found below.]

**
By at least 1993 "fly" clearly had a different "complimentary" meaning for males as evidenced by Tupac's Hip Hop record "I Get Around". In that record, Tupac brags about how he easily scores with the ladies & then leaves them:

"baby got a problem saying bye bye
Just another hazard of a fly guy"
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/I-Get-Around-lyrics-2Pac/BF82D7758D3AF2DA4825686A000CF3B0
-snip-
My interpretation of those lyrics is that Tupac is saying that females who have a problem with him [or any fly guy] saying goodbye should realize that that's what they should expect when they become involved with a man who's deep into the urban lifestyle. To be clear, according to the use in African American culture of the term "fly girl", while that term meant that a female was "street wise" (able to handle herself in Black urban street life), the emphasis seems to have been placed on how females looked (their face, their body, their clothing). 

In contrast, while a "fly guy" was likely a male who was good looking (had an attractive face and sexually attractive body), the emphasis seemed to have been placed on how many females the man could sexually score with, and the view was that it was expected that the man wasn't going to be faithful with any one female, nor was he going to involve himself in a long lasting relationship with any female or females. 

**** 

*The 2005 Hip Hop track "Stay Fly" by Three 6 Mafia is an example of the slang use of the term "fly".
The hook to that Hip Hop track is "I gotta stay fly, until I die" (rapped four times).    

****
FEATURED VIDEOS

Example #1 - Boogie Boys - A Fly Girl



FunkyVinylJunkie, December 12, 2007
-snip-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boogie_Boys
"The Boogie Boys were an American old school hip-hop group from Harlem, New York. They scored one big hit in 1985 with "A Fly Girl", from the album "City Life", that peaked at number six on the R&B charts."
-snip-
This video replaces one that is no longer available. 

****
Example #2: Queen Latifah - Fly Girl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OGMXKhJrPo&ab_channel=TommyBoy


Tommy Boy, October 29, 2018

Fly Girl from the album, "Nature of a Sista" by Queen Latifah 1991.

****
PORTIONS OF LYRICS FROM TWO "FLY GIRL" RECORDS
From http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/boogie-boys-lyrics/a-fly-girl-lyrics.html
FLY GIRL
(as performed by the Boogie Boys)
...[Romeo JD]
Well I'm Rome JD and I have learned
Fly girl is a name that you must earn
Fly girl's a girl who speak their mind
Some sneaky some freaky some mean some kind
Cold crush waves, fly Gherri curl
Gold watch, gold ring, and a neck full of pearls
Real slim waist, a made-up face
Head turns, eyes burn when she comes in the place
Perfume from France, put you in a trance
Fly enough to mingle, to fly dance
High-stakers, big money makers
Some fly girls are cold heart breakers
Bank accounts of unbelievable amounts
Very picky bout how their name's pronounced
Designer purse, leather mini skirt
Not a speck of dirt, can't help but flirt
She'll make you choke like you inhale smoke
She gave you a number, it was dial-a-joke
You got a real nice voice, you'll be her choice
Till another man comes in a fly Rolls-Royce
The guys get jealous, how can you blame us?
You live a lifestyle of the rich and famous
To play your roll guys lose control
Picturin' you as a center fold
From the Rome JD, cest-la-vie
Each and every one a y'all too much for me
Could it be your style or the way you smile
That puts you on the top of the pile?
Queen of the Nile, o sweet child
Fly girl you drive me wild (you drive me wild
-snip-
From http://www.lyricsfreak.com/q/queen+latifah/fly+girl_10237192.html
"FLY GIRL"

(as performed by Queen Latifah)

... (desire) i know you want me
(you're fine) thank you
But i'm not the type of girl that you think i am
I don't jump into the arms of every man
(but i'm paid) i don't need your money
(i love you) you must be mad
Easy lover is something that i ain't
Besides, i don't know you from a can of paint…

(fly girl, fly girl)
(come here, cuz you're sexy and you're fine)
(and i want you to be mine)
(fly girl, fly girl)
(have no fear, your heart is in good hands)
(won't you let me be your man?)...

****
SEVERAL ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF THE USE OF THE SLANG TERM "FLY" IN AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE
Example #1: Girls' foot stomping cheer*
FLY GIRL
All: Fly girl
Fly girl
Fly girl One
Fly girl Two
Pump it up Teresa
See what you do.
Soloist #1:(Oh) my name is Teresa
and I’m a fly girl.
It takes a lot of men
to rock my world.
‘cause I can fly like a butterfly
sting like a bee
and that’s way they call me
Sexy...

[The next soloist repeats the exact words of this cheer (except her name or nickname). Continue this pattern until every girl in the group has had a turn as the soloist.]
-Tazi M. Powell, (African American female, memories of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, mid 1980s)

*"Foot stomping cheers" is an informal recreational activity which is (or was) usually performed by African American girls ages 7-12 years. The text of "foot stomping cheers" are structurally distinctive from other cheerleader cheers and/or from other children's folk compositions such as handclap rhymes.

****
Example #2: "Fly Girl" dancers on primarily African American television show In Living Color
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Living_Color
"In Living Color is a sketch comedy television series, which originally ran on the Fox Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Brothers Keenen and Damon Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program...

The Fly Girls
The show employed an in-house dance troupe, known as the "The Fly Girls..."

Here's a link to a compilation video of "In Living Color" The Fly Girls dancing:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExLQFMFgg40&ab_channel=HowieKemperVideo

****
Example #3: Flyy Girl book by African American author Omar Tyree
From http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/290039.Flyy_Girl
Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree Published August 7th 2001 by Simon & Schuster (first published 1993)
"The bestselling urban classic novel about a young woman coming of age in the late 1980s. Tracy Ellison, a young knockout with tall hair and attitude, is living life as fast as she can. Motivated by the material world, she and her friends love and leave the young men who will do anything to get next to them. It's only when the world of gratuitous sex threatens heartbreak that Tracy begins to examine her life, her goals, and her sexuality."

****
Example #4: Lyrics to a version of the Iota Phi Theta Centaur Walk Song/Chant,
From Iota Phi Theta member Dwayne Dixon in Elizabeth C. Fine: Soulstepping: African American Step Shows (Urbana & Chicago, University of Illinois Press, 2003; p 61
I say, my bro-thers....
-Yeah?
I say, Who's fly?
-I Phi!

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/01/iota-phi-theta-fraternity-inc-centaur.html for more information about the Centaur Walk and the Centaur Walk Song.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to all the composers & performers of the "Fly Girl" records. Thanks also to all those other persons whose use of the tern "fly" and "fly girl" are mentioned in this post.

Thank you for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.