The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - @TheKingOfWeird
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for a pancocojams post about this Starrkeisha video.
In this video, the cheerleading squad appears to be representing a high school named "Petty" (meaning "Petty" is the last name for someone the high school is named after).
However, these lines from that cheer: "You know I'm petty/I like to start some mess" stance and "You don't want to start stuff (with me) cause I can get down" exemplify the complimentary African American vernacular meaning of being "petty".
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision - May 26, 2026
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that provides information about the relatively new African American Vernacular English meaning of the English word "petty".
This post is a reprint (with some content changes/additions) of the 2017 pancocojams post that is still available on this blog with the title "A New African American Slang Meaning For The Word "Petty" (Starrkeisha's Petty Cheer & More)." https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-new-meaning-for-old-adjective-petty.html
This post presents information about the fictitious character "Starrkeisha" and presents information about the "new" African American Vernacular English (slang) meaning of the word "petty".
The Addendum to this post presents an excerpt pf an article excerpt about the vernacular meaning of the word "petty".
A reprint of one comment that I wrote in that 2017 post's discussion thread is also included in this video. There are two additional comments in that 2017 post (as of May 26, 2026).
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/05/heres-complimentary-example-of-being.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a 2025 YouTube video of the stomp & shake cheer "You Make Us Go To Sleep". Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in that post.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic and socio-cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Cameron Henderson, the creator of the Starrkeisha character. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the YouTube video that is embedded in this post.
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THE STANDARD ENGLISH MEANING FOR "PETTY"
From https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petty
"2. having little or no importance or significance"
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From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=petty&page=6
"Petty
When someone overreacts over the littlest things
someone gets mad because the microwave door was left open. That's being petty"
by Dj Ellis March 21, 2017
-snip-
That is considered "petty" because leaving the microwave door open is no big deal.
But it wouldn't be petty if you left the door of a bank vault open.
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AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MEANING FOR THE WORD "PETTY [revised May 26, 2026]
Here's my definition for the African American Vernacular English word "petty" - using something that most people may not have considered ammunition for a diss (insult).
Petty can describe words and/or actions.
The wittier and/or the more creative the diss or shade (indirect insult) is the better it will be received by onlookers.
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Here's an urban dictionary.com entry for "petty":
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=petty
"Petty
The act of keeping it too real, while others find it offensive. 100% honesty, even if it's “mean.”
Alexxis, why did you say his wrinkles make him look like the grinch that stole Christmas, you're so petty!
by QueenLex November 07, 2015
-snip-
In the phrase "keeping it too real", the word "too" intensifies the word "real", giving it the same or similar meaning of "very" e.g. "keeping it very real [not being fake in any way], even if some other people might think that you are being mean by reacting this way.
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WORDS FOR STARKEISHA'S "PETTY" CHEER
(TheKingOfWeird)
Leader -Okay ladies, let's get in formation.
All - Gimme a P
Gimme a E
Gimme a T
Gimme a T
Gimme a Y
I'm petty all the time.
Gimme a P
Gimme a E
Gimme a T
Gimme a T
Gimme a Y
I'm petty all the time.
P E to the T T Y
I’m petty
All the time.
Leader (soloist) - My name Starrkeisha
Group- Yeah
Leader - And I'm the best
Group- Yeah
Leader -You know I'm petty
I like to start some mess.
Leader- Cause you don't like me
Group -Yeah
Leader - But you don't want to get down.
Group -Down
Leader -You don't want to start stuff
When Kiki come around
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
-If a word could have an anthem, this would be the anthem for the relatively new vernacular meaning of "petty":
Here's some information about the fictitious character "Starrkeisha"
From AI Overview #2 [This write-up is the result of my request for information about the character "Starrkeisha".]
"Starrkeisha is a popular comedic character and alter ego created by YouTuber and entertainer Cameron Henderson (also known as Cameron J). First going viral around 2016, the character is best known for her bold personality, exaggerated cheer routines, and viral catchphrases.
Origins and Rise to Fame
The Creator: Cameron Henderson, an Oklahoma native, created the character on a whim after writing a throwaway idea on a sticky note.
Virality: The character exploded in popularity with "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad! - Petty All the Time" video, which spawned the viral "Petty Challenge" cheer routine and racked up millions of views.
Persona: Starrkeisha is often portrayed as loud, fiercely protective of her friends, and unapologetically "petty"."...
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note
Starrkeisha was always performed her creator Cameron Henderson. This character was always portrayed as a female with a small beard.
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AI Overview #2 [This write-up is the result of my query "What ever happened to the character "Starrkeisha"?]
" The viral internet character Starrkeisha, created by comedian and entertainer Cameron J. Henderson, never permanently disappeared.
Instead, the character's main video run naturally faded out in late 2020 as Henderson transitioned into other comedic content, though fans and other creators still use the character's audio."...
-snip-
October 15, 2020 is the last date that I found for a video that included the character "Starrkeisha".
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-starrkeisha-cheer-squad-petty-cheer.html for the 2016 pancocojams post entitled "The Starrkeisha Cheer Squad (The "Petty" Cheer), information, videos, lyrics, & comments".
Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/12/four-starrkeishas-christmas-carols.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Four "Starrkeisha's Christmas Carols!" YouTube Videos by Random Structure TV ( 2016 - 2019)".
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ADDENDUM -AN EXCERPT FROM A MADAME NOIRE.COM ARTICLE ABOUT BEING PETTY (IN THE COMPLIMENTARY MEANING OF THAT WORD)
From http://madamenoire.com/597661/petty/ "11 Perfect Memes For That Moment Someone Tries To Come For You And It’s Time To Be Petty"
November 10, 2015 | By Brande Victorian
-snip-
"Our inner Patti LaBelle comes out" refers to Soul/Gospel singer Patti LaBelle being a Diva in the positive sense of that word. Patti LaBelle 's reputation for not "playing" with folks or allowing people to "play with" her. Patti LaBelle is known for "throwing expert shade" among her other (complimentary) Diva ways.
Here's a definition of "diva" that fits what is probably meant in that phrase "our inner Patti LaBelle comes out".
From http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=diva
"Diva
A fierce, often temperamental singer who comes correct. She is not a trick ass hoe, and she does not sweat da haters.
"And that is why I make the manager cry at the Cheesecake Factory, by being a diva."
by WadaStinsbatsky February 01, 2013
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktCh88GOJd0 for a video entitled "Patti Labelle's Shadiest/Diva Moments".
-snip-
Page four of that madamenoire.com gives this example of "petty":
Petty: "Just basking in the joys of karma"
-snip-
Some people might think that it's petty to feel vindication because something negative has happened or is happening to those who have done you wrong. But in the vernacular sense of the word "petty", that feeling of vindication is something to be enjoyed.
Being petty [by or because you are "just basking in the joys of karma" helps add context to this article's title: "The Internet Is Absolutely Loving Ivanka Trump’s ‘Petty’ Neighbor"; She grabbed her fur and some wine to watch a protest outside Trump’s house." by Cavan Sieczkowski, April 4, 2017
Here's an excerpt of that article:
"Hundreds of LGBTQ people and climate change activists protested outside Ivanka Trump’s Washington, D.C. home Saturday night to demand more than just words of support from the First Daughter.
Aside from the satisfaction of having voices heard for important causes during the massive dance party, one of the best things to come out of the protest was Trump’s “petty” neighbor: a woman who grabbed her fur coat and a glass of wine to gleefully watch the event unfold.
The Daily Mail ran the fantastic photo of the smiling neighbor ... who lives across the street from Trump."...
-snip-
Here are a few comments from that article (All of these comments are from April 4, 2017;Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)
1.Karri Lynn
"Petty is a compliment of sorts when used this way."..
**
Reply
2. Marcus Avant
"Yea petty is being used in other ways now..."
**
Reply
3. Deborah Paley
"Maybe this is "good" petty as opposed to "bad" petty. I'm down either way, I think it's pretty funny!"
**
4. Barbra Blyss
"I don't understand the use of the word 'petty' to describe this neighbor."
**
Reply
5. TaShonda Lewis-Taylor ·
"Y'all let me help you before another person ignorantly responds. HER PETTY IS A GOOD PETTY. Let it go if you do not understand because you are becoming very annoying!"
-snip-
This article gives some background as to why some of Ivanka & Jared's neighbors aren't happy about them moving into that neighborhood: http://nymag.com/thecut/2017/03/ivanka-trump-and-jared-kushners-new-neighbors-are-annoyed.html
"Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner’s New Neighbors Are Justifiably Annoyed", By Jenni Miller, March 26, 2017
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Reprint of One Comment From That 2016 pancocojams post:
"The idea that people should immediately respond to any provocation-no matter how small it might be-or lose "street cred" seems to be the opposite of the 1970s/1980s or so injunction that people should be cool in the face of opposition or adversity (meaning not show any emotions, not let on that they were bothered by anyone or anything that was said about them or that they experienced).
I think that the term "Suck it up!" is the opposite of the verb "clap back" (Note: "Clap back" (also given as "clapback") is a verb and a noun as the retort that is given when you clap back is called a "clapback".)
Here's an urban dictionary.com entry for "suck it up": http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=suck%20it%20up
"suck it up
To endure a period of mental, physical, or emotional hardship with no complaining.
"I don't care if you're sad, get out there, suck it up and deal with it!"
by Albert February 15, 2004
-snip-
It also seems to me that when "clapping back" became "a thing" [something that is the "in thing to do"]*, then "sucking [something] up went out of favor. Because immediately clapping back (verbally responding to provocation, regardless if that provocation was minor or not, is viewed positively, then being "petty" is also viewed positively.
*In African American urban street cultures, an earlier vernacular meaning of "clap" is to shoot someone (fire back with a gun). Note the sharp sound associated with shooting and clapping.
The popularity of the term "clap back" (and its clapping motion that is sometimes used instead of verbalizing those words) can be attributed to the song "Clap Back" by American rapper Ja Rule, released as the only single from his fifth studio album, Blood in My Eye (2003)... The song is a diss track directed at 50 Cent and Eminem." [Wikipedia]
I think the first use of the complimentary meaning of "petty" occurred after 2003, but I'm not sure when. It's possible that the earliest use of the complimentary meaning of "petty" may be 2015 (the year of the urban dictionary.com entry for this word that is quoted in this post).
Please share any information that you have about the earliest vernacular use pf "petty" as something complimentary."
This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.
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