Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series about the slang meanings of the English word "snap".
This post presents the meanings of the exclamation "Oh Snap!" with particular focus on that exclamation's use in the context of referring to someone giving snaps (insults) to one person or more than one people.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/03/bo-diddley-say-man-1959-example-of.html for Part II of this pancocojams post. That post showcases Bo Diddley's 1959 recording "Say Man" as a 1959 example of "snapping" (playing the dozens). The lyrics to that record are included in this post along with selected comments from the discussion thread of this YouTube sound file.
The Addendum to this post presents an excerpt of a 2023 online article about playing the dozens.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and linguistic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
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ARTICLE EXCERPT ABOUT THE SAYING "OH SNAP!"
From http://www.slangcity.com/slang-vocabulary/snaps.htm "Snaps"
A. C. Kemp, JANUARY 8, 2004
"Definition: (noun) 1. praise 2. artful insults
Example:
Susan had nothing but snaps for her amazing hairdresser.
Quote:
“Snaps for the drag queens who paved the way.”
- Carson Kressley, of TV’s Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
It may seem a little strange that this word’s two meanings
are opposites. As Kressley uses it, snaps comes from snapping your fingers.
This has always a favorite alternative to applause among people with a drink in
one hand and cool 1950s beatniks at poetry readings (who often had a drink in
one hand as well).
The second meaning of snapping, also called playing the dozens, is more related to the “snappy comeback” – a fast and funny response. Participants trade insults as if playing a game, with each player trying to outdo the cleverness and humorous cruelty of the previous snap. Points are scored by crowd reaction. Long associated with the African American community, examples of playing the dozens can be found in Zora Neale Hurston's classic 1937 novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God, though the phrase is older.
The most popular target of snaps is the other player’s mother, especially her age, intelligence, appearance and deviant sexuality. Typical examples include, “Your mother is so dumb it takes her an hour to make Minute Rice.” and “Your mother is so fat that people exercise by jogging around her.”
However, the classic snap from my junior high school days
was about the opponent – not the mother. “You’re so ugly that when you were a
baby, they had to tie a pork chop around your neck so that the dog would play
with you.” Ouch!"
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A FEW URBANDICTIONARY.COM DEFINITIONS FOR THE EXCLAMATION "OH SNAP!"
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
WARNING: Some of these quotes are only partially give with sexually suggestive language deleted and/or with curse words given with amended spelling.
These are only a small example of the visitor submitted definitions for this saying that are found in urbandictionary.com.
Except for the definition that is given below as #1, these definitions are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OH%20SNAP
1.oh snap!
it simply means oh sh-t!*
A car almost hits you, Oh Snap!
by viperboi65 February 20, 2005
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this definition.
**
2. "Oh Snap
First known usage was by the 1980's rap song "Just a
Friend" by Biz Markie. Its a "rated G" way of saying "oh
sh-t*"
So I came to her room and opened the door
Oh, snap! guess what I saw?
A fella tongue-kissin’ my girl in the mouth,
I was so in shock my heart went down south
So please listen to the message that I say
Don’t ever talk to a girl who says she just has a friend
by Leandro October 31, 2004
**
3. "OH SNAP
(exclamatory phrase) a playful indication of surprise,
misfortune, or insult
by DT June 14, 2004
**
4."oh snap!
1)A term that seconds the taunting, comeback, and/or verbal
abuse of another person.
Ashyle: Gah, Tom, why are you such a freakin' fatso?
Kevin: OH SNAP!"
by Kevin Garcia December 6, 2005
**
5. "Oh Snap
Commonly Used By Dave Chappelle, the phrase is an
exclamation of surprise, reget, dissapointment, happiness, and many other
emotions.
{Driving in a car and almost hitting a big animal}
"Oh Snap!"
or
{Having your ice cream cone fall on the ground right after buying it}
"Oh Snap"
by Eric August 19, 2004
**
6. "
An expression meaning that one has been surprised by what
has just occured. It is similar to saying "wow" or "holy
crap" but implies a more laid back manner.
"So did you see the new... OH SNAP! A guy just ran buy
with a katana!" "
by Vincent McGuyver March 7, 2007
**
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OH%20SNAP&page=2
7. "Oh SNAP
People usually say "Oh SNAP!" as an exclaimation,
and it can be either positive or negative.
Positive: "Oh SNAP i aced the test yo!"
Negative: "Oh SNAP i forgot to pop the popcorn!" "
by Bluestrike February 13, 2010
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https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OH%20SNAP&page=3
8. "oh snap
a third party referance to a snap (come back) or somthing
bad that had happened.
person1: lol look at that chick she's so fat!
Person2: Your MOMS fat...
Person3: OH SNAP!
Person1: F--K* *walks away in shame"...
by Joob October 10, 2003
-snip-
These words are given in bold in this definition.
I believe that it's important to note that the exclamation "Oh snap!" is said by someone who wasn't the person giving the snap (insult) or the person that the snap was directed to.
****
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OH%20SNAP&page=4
9. "Oh snap
Expression of surprise, usually negative, sometimes used by
people who speak in the ebonic dialect (english).
"Oh snap! My wallet got jacked!"
by Guillaume Favreau December 5, 2005
-snip-
"Ebonic dialect" is an incorrect way of referring to African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Another way of referring to the origin of this saying is that it comes from Black American slang.
****
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=OH%20SNAP&page=5
10."oh snap
eclamation meaning DAMN
Usually said after an insult
A: Your mamma is fat.
B: Oh no you didnt.
B: OH SNAP!'
by cait/eileen January 30, 2003
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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.
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