Latest revision - August 7, 2023 [title change and added content]
This post showcases an example of a popular, customer composed video clip enactment of a man placing an order at a McDonald's [fast food restaurant] drive in. That clip includes a form of secret language that is created by using the "izzle" suffix. That clip also includes some African American Vernacular English (AAVE) words and phrases.
Todrick Hall is the composer and the performer of the rap that is performed in that video clip. Hall went on to achieve Broadway and television celebrity status. Information about Todrick Hall is included in this pancocojams post.
This post includes the lyrics to this McDonalds drive through rap and information about the secret language that is created by using the "izzle" suffix. In addition, this post presents my analysis of examples of African American Vernacular English in that ad.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistic, and entertainment purposes.
Thank to Todrick Hall who composed & performed this rap. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TODRICK HALL
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todrick_Hall
"Todrick Hall (born April 4, 1985) is an American singer, choreographer, and YouTuber. He gained national attention on the ninth season of the televised singing competition American Idol. Following this, he amassed a huge following on YouTube with viral videos including original songs, parodies, and skits. A documentary series about his video-making process titled Todrick aired on MTV in 2015.
Starting with season eight, Hall became a resident choreographer and occasional judge on RuPaul's Drag Race.[3][4] From 2016 to 2017, Hall starred as Lola in Kinky Boots on Broadway. Later in 2017, he began appearances as Billy Flynn in Chicago on Broadway and the West End.
Hall has released four studio albums, including the visual albums Straight Outta Oz (2016) and Forbidden (2018). In 2020, he released an EP, Quarantine Queen, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic featuring "Mask, Gloves, Soap, Scrub", and was the international host of Global Pride 2020
[...]
[Todrick Hall] joined the video-sharing platform YouTube in May 2006,
and made over 300 videos in the next five years.[9][14][1] His first video,
filmed while still living in Texas, was "a hilarious clip of him singing
his order to a McDonald's drive-through speaker (complete with backup
singers)".[9][19] The video has since received over ten million views."...
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANGUAGE THAT IS CREATED BY USING THE IZZLE SUFFIX
From https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-izzle
"Etymology
INFORMATION ABOUT THE LANGUAGE THAT IS CREATED BY USING THE IZZLE SUFFIX
From https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/-izzle
"Etymology
Popularized by rap artist Snoop Dogg, but first put to
record by Frankie Smith's 1981 "Double Dutch Bus"[1] is from a style
of cant (esoteric slang) used by African American pimps and jive hustlers of
the 1970s. The “-iz, -izzle, -izzo, -ilz” speak (which also uses an infix
-iz-), similar in some ways to Pig Latin, was developed by African Americans
around the period of the Harlem Renaissance, with hotspots of the speak in
Oakland, New York City, and Philadelphia. It was partially developed as young
African American girls improvised chants and nursery rhymes while jumping rope,
with the -iz dialect serving to add syllables when necessary to maintain the
rhythm. A similar -iz dialect has also been used by carnies (carnival workers).
Suffix
-izzle
(slang) Forms hip-hop-sounding words, which replaces the
word with the first sound of the word followed by -izzle."
-snip-
Read an explanation below about the words ending in "izzle" that are included in Todrick Hall's McDonalds rap.
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: McDonald's Rap with Lyrics!!!
carfreak0801 Uploaded on May 11, 2008
PLEASE WATCH!!! This is the McDonald's Rap with lyrics. It took me a long time to put this together so please watch this.
The song and lyrics were from camneedsthis and Pictures were from Google.
****
Example #2: McDonalds drive thru rap
megha963, Published on Apr 19, 2013
That was so cool to listen !
-snip-
Another video was previously featured, but is no longer available.
Here are a few comments from this video's discussion thread:
[written in response to a comment that the singer was a professional]
Kagami Shinami, 2015
"+michelle martinez its todrickhall"
**
Reply
JStar101567, 2015
"he is not a professional but he has a tv show now he was on American idol his name is Todrick Hall"
**
Queenynel Gibson, 2015
"He auditioned for American idol a few years back. But he's sorta an celebrity now."
****
LYRICS: MCDONALD RAP
Boom, Boom Boom Big Mac
Boom, Boom Boom Big Mac(said throughout song for beat)
I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce
Don't be frontin' son no seeds on a bun
We be up in this drive thru
Order for two
I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe
We need some chicken up in here
In this dizzle
For rizzle my nizzle
Extra salt on the frizzle
Dr. Pepper my brother
Another for your mother
Double double super size
And don't forget the FRIES......................
Crispy
-lilf96, https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080409142644AA0xN9D, Mcdonalds rap lyrics?, 2009
****
EXPLANATIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE WORDS AND PHRASES IN THIS RAP
(These words/phrases are assigned numbers for referencing purposes.)
1. "Don't be frontin' son" = Don't pretend like you are going to do something but actually aren't going to do it.
-snip-
Read other definitions of "frontin", my comment about the possible origin of that slang word in the Addendum #1 of this post. That Addendum also contains my comments the use of "son" in the line "Don't be frontin' son".
2. We be up in this drive thru = We're at [or "We're in"] this drive-through [line].
-snip-
"Up in here" is also sometimes given as "all up in here".
In those usages, "all up" [in here] are intensifiers that both convey the same meaning as the word "really".
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-582760.html Peremensoe, 10-22-2010, 09:58 PM
...[quoting] "up" as an intensifier is also seen in "up in my face" which describes a situation in which a person has confronted you on a particular issue (perhaps, without justification). It means exactly the same thing as saying a person "got in your face" about the subject, just more so.
Right. Up means active, aroused, energized, focused, like starting up an engine. You put your guard up. If somebody bothers you, you may get either your dander or your ire up.
Being in somebody's face is confrontational, but up in somebody's face is flat-out asking for a fight. Being in a nightclub means you're there, but up in the club means you're really on the scene."
3. I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe = I have a craving for the item that is listed as number 9, that number being the same as my shoe size.
4. We need some chicken up in here = "up in here" means "right here"
5. In this dizzle /For rizzle my nizzle/Extra salt on the frizzle" = in this [?]*, for real, my [n word], extra salt on the [French] fries
* A commenter on one of the many video viewer comment threads for this rap wrote that "dizzle " was supposed to be "hizzle" which would be "izzle" talk for "house" (even though the person rapping wasn't actually in a house.)
7. Dr. Pepper my brother = ordering a Dr. Pepper carbonated drink; the use of the "my brother" referent is to show a congenial familiarity with another man (who isn't actually part of your family). "Bro", "brutha" and "sister", "sis", "sistah" are also used for the same purpose. While these family referents used to used by Black people as references to other Black people only, they are now used by any person as a sign of familiarity toward any other person regardless of their race or ethnicity.
8. Another for your mother - I wonder if this line originally was "another for my mother". "For your mother" (meaning another [Dr. Pepper] for the mother of the McDonalds worker sounds to me like its too close to the "Your Mama" ("Yo Mama" dozens put down/insult game.
-snip-
Also, "Double double super size" probably refers to a super sized double [ham]burger
****
ADDENDUM #1
Here are some definitions of the African American slang word "frontin" from
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=frontin
1. "frontin
to pretend or act like somethin or someone your not.
Quit Frontin man you know yo ass aint got a job! "
by Juicy August 05, 2004
-snip-
Note: The form of African American Vernacular English in which a person is referred to by saying "your ass" or "your butt". Another example: A mother or father saying to her or his child "Get your butt down here".
**
2. frontin
"to put on a false disguise usually to impress others
Why you frontin man? we all know you live with yo mamma!
by irish kiwi from samoa October 07, 2003
-snip-
In this example, the word "yo" means "your".
****
3. frontin'
Verb. To put up a false facade. See frontin
Yo, check out backstreet over there frontin in his hyundizzay.
by 50 cent crack dealer July 15, 2003
-snip-
In this example, the word "yo" means something like "Hey".
"Backstreet" appears to be a put down nickname for a man.
"hyundizzay" is the Hyundai car with that brand name spelled with izzay gibberish talk.
-snip-
My guess is that the slang word "frontin" was coined in the 1950s or earlier to mean acting like something you're not because of the custom in poor African American neighborhoods of using a small, rundown business (known as a "storefront") as a façade for a legitimate "mom *& pop" store which sold food items, milk, candy, toiletries etc.) when that place was actually being used as a center for "numbers running" or other illegal gambling operation.
****
The word "son" in the line "Don't be frontin' son" (from the McDonald's rap showcased above) probably just conveys familiarity to someone younger than the speaker. However, in 2009 Ed Lover, the host of the American television show Yo! MTV Raps "created a series on YouTube titled "C’mon, Son!" in which he criticized the errant acts of celebrities." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Lover
The word "son" in "C'mon son" means that the person addressed is acting foolishly or has said something foolish like a child, or someone young would do. Since Ed Lover popularized "C'mon son" it has been used as a commentary on something stupid or foolish a male or a female has said or done. That saying means "Really, you should know better than to say [or do] that."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
Example #1: McDonald's Rap with Lyrics!!!
carfreak0801 Uploaded on May 11, 2008
PLEASE WATCH!!! This is the McDonald's Rap with lyrics. It took me a long time to put this together so please watch this.
The song and lyrics were from camneedsthis and Pictures were from Google.
****
Example #2: McDonalds drive thru rap
megha963, Published on Apr 19, 2013
That was so cool to listen !
-snip-
Another video was previously featured, but is no longer available.
Here are a few comments from this video's discussion thread:
[written in response to a comment that the singer was a professional]
Kagami Shinami, 2015
"+michelle martinez its todrickhall"
**
Reply
JStar101567, 2015
"he is not a professional but he has a tv show now he was on American idol his name is Todrick Hall"
**
Queenynel Gibson, 2015
"He auditioned for American idol a few years back. But he's sorta an celebrity now."
****
LYRICS: MCDONALD RAP
Boom, Boom Boom Big Mac
Boom, Boom Boom Big Mac(said throughout song for beat)
I need a double cheeseburger and hold the lettuce
Don't be frontin' son no seeds on a bun
We be up in this drive thru
Order for two
I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe
We need some chicken up in here
In this dizzle
For rizzle my nizzle
Extra salt on the frizzle
Dr. Pepper my brother
Another for your mother
Double double super size
And don't forget the FRIES......................
Crispy
-lilf96, https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080409142644AA0xN9D, Mcdonalds rap lyrics?, 2009
****
EXPLANATIONS ABOUT SOME OF THE WORDS AND PHRASES IN THIS RAP
(These words/phrases are assigned numbers for referencing purposes.)
1. "Don't be frontin' son" = Don't pretend like you are going to do something but actually aren't going to do it.
-snip-
Read other definitions of "frontin", my comment about the possible origin of that slang word in the Addendum #1 of this post. That Addendum also contains my comments the use of "son" in the line "Don't be frontin' son".
2. We be up in this drive thru = We're at [or "We're in"] this drive-through [line].
-snip-
"Up in here" is also sometimes given as "all up in here".
In those usages, "all up" [in here] are intensifiers that both convey the same meaning as the word "really".
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-582760.html Peremensoe, 10-22-2010, 09:58 PM
...[quoting] "up" as an intensifier is also seen in "up in my face" which describes a situation in which a person has confronted you on a particular issue (perhaps, without justification). It means exactly the same thing as saying a person "got in your face" about the subject, just more so.
Right. Up means active, aroused, energized, focused, like starting up an engine. You put your guard up. If somebody bothers you, you may get either your dander or your ire up.
Being in somebody's face is confrontational, but up in somebody's face is flat-out asking for a fight. Being in a nightclub means you're there, but up in the club means you're really on the scene."
3. I gots a craving for a number nine like my shoe = I have a craving for the item that is listed as number 9, that number being the same as my shoe size.
4. We need some chicken up in here = "up in here" means "right here"
5. In this dizzle /For rizzle my nizzle/Extra salt on the frizzle" = in this [?]*, for real, my [n word], extra salt on the [French] fries
* A commenter on one of the many video viewer comment threads for this rap wrote that "dizzle " was supposed to be "hizzle" which would be "izzle" talk for "house" (even though the person rapping wasn't actually in a house.)
7. Dr. Pepper my brother = ordering a Dr. Pepper carbonated drink; the use of the "my brother" referent is to show a congenial familiarity with another man (who isn't actually part of your family). "Bro", "brutha" and "sister", "sis", "sistah" are also used for the same purpose. While these family referents used to used by Black people as references to other Black people only, they are now used by any person as a sign of familiarity toward any other person regardless of their race or ethnicity.
8. Another for your mother - I wonder if this line originally was "another for my mother". "For your mother" (meaning another [Dr. Pepper] for the mother of the McDonalds worker sounds to me like its too close to the "Your Mama" ("Yo Mama" dozens put down/insult game.
-snip-
Also, "Double double super size" probably refers to a super sized double [ham]burger
****
ADDENDUM #1
Here are some definitions of the African American slang word "frontin" from
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=frontin
1. "frontin
to pretend or act like somethin or someone your not.
Quit Frontin man you know yo ass aint got a job! "
by Juicy August 05, 2004
-snip-
Note: The form of African American Vernacular English in which a person is referred to by saying "your ass" or "your butt". Another example: A mother or father saying to her or his child "Get your butt down here".
**
2. frontin
"to put on a false disguise usually to impress others
Why you frontin man? we all know you live with yo mamma!
by irish kiwi from samoa October 07, 2003
-snip-
In this example, the word "yo" means "your".
****
3. frontin'
Verb. To put up a false facade. See frontin
Yo, check out backstreet over there frontin in his hyundizzay.
by 50 cent crack dealer July 15, 2003
-snip-
In this example, the word "yo" means something like "Hey".
"Backstreet" appears to be a put down nickname for a man.
"hyundizzay" is the Hyundai car with that brand name spelled with izzay gibberish talk.
-snip-
My guess is that the slang word "frontin" was coined in the 1950s or earlier to mean acting like something you're not because of the custom in poor African American neighborhoods of using a small, rundown business (known as a "storefront") as a façade for a legitimate "mom *& pop" store which sold food items, milk, candy, toiletries etc.) when that place was actually being used as a center for "numbers running" or other illegal gambling operation.
****
The word "son" in the line "Don't be frontin' son" (from the McDonald's rap showcased above) probably just conveys familiarity to someone younger than the speaker. However, in 2009 Ed Lover, the host of the American television show Yo! MTV Raps "created a series on YouTube titled "C’mon, Son!" in which he criticized the errant acts of celebrities." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Lover
The word "son" in "C'mon son" means that the person addressed is acting foolishly or has said something foolish like a child, or someone young would do. Since Ed Lover popularized "C'mon son" it has been used as a commentary on something stupid or foolish a male or a female has said or done. That saying means "Really, you should know better than to say [or do] that."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors' comments are welcome.
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