Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision -August 24, 2024
This is Part I of a pancocojams series on the African American Vernacular English term "show out" and forms of that term such as "showed up and showed out".
This post presents definitions about the English language vernacular terms "showed out" and some forms of that term, including "showed up and showed out".
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/08/comments-about-rapper-lil-jon-showing.html for Part II of this pancocojams series which is entitled "Comments About Rapper Lil Jon "Showing Up And Showing Out" For The Georgia Roll Call At The 2024 Democratic National Convention."
The content of this post is presented for linguistics and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who quoted in this post
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DISCLAIMER
This post doesn't mean to imply that the early dates that are given in this post for the term "showed out" and forms of that term are the earliest dates for those terms.
This post also doesn't mean to imply that the past and current vernacular definitions for that term "showed out" and for forms of that term are the only past and current vernacular definitions for those terms.
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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
"Show out" is a vernacular English verb that appears to have originated in African American Vernacular English.
The earliest definition that I've found online for "show out" or forms of that vernacular term are from 2005. (Read Definitions Source #1 immediately below.)
Based on examples from urbandictionary.com."show out" and "showing out" may have been the most common forms of that vernacular verb,
The earliest examples of the vernacular term "show out" that I've found online have negative connotations. However, it's possible that "show out" sometimes had positive connotations when it was first used that aren't documented online (or that I haven't yet found, However, at some point by at least 2024 the vernacular meaning of the verb "show out" and its various forms switched meanings, mostly changing from negative connotations to very positive connotations.
In 2024 "showed out" and "showed up and showed out" seem to be the most common forms of the vernacular term "show out".
"Showed up" means that a person or group arrived (came to, or was present at) an actual place or event or a particular moment in time.
"Showed out" means that that person or group really excelled - "wowing" another person or an audience. Sometimes a person who "showed out" exceeded any or all expectations. At other times, people familiar with that person knew in advance based on their past knowledge of that person that they would show out at a particular event.
For instance, a number of comments about the already well known Atlanta, Georgia rapper Lil Jon's performance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention's Roll Call include the statement that he "showed out" or that he "showed up and showed out".
Please share any thoughts that you have about the vernacular meanings of "show up" and "showed out" by posting your comments below. Thanks!****
SOME DEFINITIONS FOR THE VERNACULAR TERM 'SHOWED OUT" AND OTHER FORMS OF THAT TERM
The vernacular meaning of the verb "show up" doesn't have the same meaning as "to show someone up" (to embarrass someone/publicly shame someone). Also, the vernacular meaning of "showed out" doesn't have the same meaning as "to lead someone to the door when they are leaving).
Here are some definitions of the vernacular terms "show out" (and its various forms), including "showed up and showed out":
SOURCE #1
Pancocojams Editor's notes and examples from two urbandictionary.com pages:
All urbandictionary.com definitions, that entry was submitted by that site's reader. As such, these definitions may not have been correct, or may have only been correct at that time and within a certain population/geographical area. Furthermore, those definitions may no longer be correct (if they ever were correct(.
I added numbers for referencing purposes only.
Here's the
earliest online definition that I've come across for a form of the term
"showed out":
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Showing%20Out Showing Out [page 1 of two pages]
1. "show out
similar to show off, but usually meaning a failed attempt to impress others.
"Yo, check out my rag chevy! Man, you just showing out."
by Andy Mack April 11, 2005
**
Here's an August 27, 2005 urbandictionary.com entry for
"showing out" from that same page
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment
**
Here's a definition that was submitted to urbandictionary.com in 2011:
3. "Showing Out
The act of being foolish, ignorant and just plain dumb in
public.
Look at Greg storming off and cussin after that little
misunderstanding
Yeah, he's showing out."
by You know me, The Kid! April 28, 2011
**
Here's a definition from that page that was published in 2023
4. "Show Out
Show Out meaning you look good, acting bad, Popping your
ish. Showing that you the one, not the second, Third. You that girl or guy. You
on point.
Shayla: How do I look in this dress?
Suzi: Yass Ma’am, Yass ma’am show out!
by Anonymousfree August 1, 2023
**
Here's the top urbandictionary.com definition for
"Showing up" as of August 22, 2024 (Notice that entry includes two forms for this verb: "showing out" and "showed out". "Showed out" is the form that appears to be almost always used in 2024.)
5. "Showing Out
To flamboyantly show a positive presence for oneself or a group one is related to.
Damn, Ricky is showing out in that candy Lambo.
Mike Conley showed out for The Grizzlies tonight with 31 points.
by brentigon August 28, 2018
**
Here's a definition from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Showing%20Out&page=2
6. "Showed out
When you go to Taco Bell and they f--k* up your order and you
go all jerry springer on their ass.
We almost went to the strip club but when we swung by tbell,
the chick from surf city showed out over some enchiladas and we just all
bailed.
by GatewayDrug September 22, 2014
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this comment
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SOURCE #2
From https://www.quora.com/Is-there-a-more-appropriate-term-for-the-phrase-%E2%80%9Cshowing-out%E2%80%9D "Is there a more appropriate term for the phrase “showing
out”?
Pancocojams Editor's Note: These excerpts from that Quora page and related Quora pages are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Teacher/Podcast host- funny stories about teaching
"As a white guy married to black women I have spent time in
both cultures. This is a phrase used almost exclusively in black culture. As
you stated it is not the same as showing off it has a more negative
connotation.. Acting a fool is similar to this as well. The only alternative I
can come up with is “he or she was acting immature/rude/innappropiately in
order to garner attention”.
**
2. Orson Scott Card
Tired writer, retired prof., play director (2023–present), 2023
"Related
Why is everyone now saying "show out"? When I was a kid it was "show off". When did it change, and why?
When I was a kid, misbehavior was called “acting up.” but the psychologists started calling it “acting out,” which previously mentioned switching from narration to performance. Now “acting out” has switched meaning, and I never hear “acting up” anymore.
Idioms shift, in both wording and meaning. Language is both chaotic and structured -- every new word or changed word requires consensus -- but only rarely is it decided on consciously. We pick it up from others, then, by using it, we introduce changes to suit ourselves.
We can chart the change by looking at how the word used to be used, and how it's used now. What we can't document is where the new usage began, and all the steps along the way. Language is full of missing links, undocumented changes,"
**
3. Assistant Bot, Jul 12, 2024
"A more appropriate term for "showing out" could be
"grandstanding" or "ostentatious behavior." These terms
convey the idea of drawing unnecessary attention to oneself or behaving in an
overly showy or flashy manner."
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SOURCE #3
..."show out (v.)
To present oneself, especially in a public or performative manner.
The pop star always shows out with incredibly extravagant,
often outrageous, outfits.
To perform some task with as much energy, enthusiasm, and determination as possible. It's going to be tough to win today's game, but if we all show out, we can accomplish anything! Farlex Dictionary of Idioms
The two of us got on that dance floor and showed out. Our dance moves were off the chart, and people started clapping for us and moved off. Jeanette Tyson; Shhhhh...Don't Tell.....
"Mama, you need to whip that boy" He needs a good whippin'! You should have seen how he carried on and showed out and pestered me! Claude Eubanks; Bully in the Pulpit "...
-Dec 5, 2021, Djintonic
-snip-
The bold font was used on that page.
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"I think you're confusing the relatively rare usage to show
out = to show off"
–FumbleFingers, Commented Dec 6, 2021
**
Reply
"No, "show out: verb to behave ostentatiously" New
Partridge Dictionary of Slang but that's just one meaning."
–DjinTonic, Dec. 6, 2021
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SOURCE #4
From https://medium.com/@brian.ford/show-up-and-show-out-c87d650a2435Show Up And Show Out", Brian Ford,
"My friend Demi has a mindset that has catapulted her to
success in many different areas of her life. It’s very simple but at the same
time it is very effective. Her philosophy is “Show up and show out”. It
basically translates to ‘do it and do your best’. But what’s really powerful
about this is you’re leaving value and opportunity on the table if you don’t do
both at all times.
First you need to show up, which is not an easy thing to do... When opportunity arises, no matter the obstacle or the doubts she might have about how worthwhile showing up would be, she finds a way to do it. To show up...
The second part is to show out. The term literally is taken from showing your hand of cards. No holding back, no reservations, giving it everything you’ve got... Demi doesn’t hold back and she lets the world see her for who she is, giving it her all in everything she does. And guess what? Usually it is good enough.
And that’s her formula. You show up to everything you can, give yourself more chances to prove yourself. And then you show out. You give it your all and put everything you have into it.”…
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams post.
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Here's an example of the phrase "showed up and showed out" that I just came across in a discussion thread about the Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03Ha6juuUAg "The MOMENT An ENTIRE Debate Watch Party LAUGHED At Trump" published by Occupy Democrats, September 11, 2024
@deeyates226, September 11, 2024
"VP HARRIS She showed up and showed out like the educated woman she is"