Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post includes some definitions for and information about the slang terms "for real", "fr", and "fr fr". Some examples of these slang terms are also included in this post.
I'm particularly interested in documenting the use of these slang terms by people in the United States Although no demographic information is provided for any of the examples that are quoted in this pancocojams post, I believe it's likely that most, if not all, of the commenters are from the United States.
The content of this post is presented for linguistic and socio-cultural purposes.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
This post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series about the slang meanings of the word "real" in American (USA) culture.
These pancocojams posts documents the high value that was placed and still is placed upon being "real" ("authentic"/"genuine") in the United States.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2023/10/songs-that-include-word-real-in-their.html for the pancocojams post entitled "American Songs That Include The Word "Real" In Their Title"
****
DEFINITIONS FOR THE SLANG TERMS "FOR REAL". "FOR REAL?", AND "FOR REALS"
These quotes are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
Online Page #1
https://www.yourdictionary.com/for-real
"for real
adjective
Genuine, true or natural.
Is his story for real?
[source] Wiktionary
adverb
Genuinely, truly.
This recipe takes two hours to cook, for real!
[source] Wiktionary"
****
Online Page #2
https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/384904/when-was-for-real-first-used-in-the-usa
.1. .."For real (adverb phrase)
[1940s+; based on Yiddish far emmes, ''for true?'']
(The Dictionary of American Slang, Fourth Edition by Barbara Ann Kipfer, PhD. and Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.)
edited Jun 15, 2020; CommunityBot
answered Apr 17, 2017; user66974
****
2. ..."Claims that the expression "for real" has a
Yiddish connection seem vindicated by the 1910 Bruno Lessing story and (to a
lesser extent) by the Wentworth & Flexner's assertion in 1960 that the
expression "Are you for real?" was popularized by Jerry Lewis (Joseph
Levitch); Lewis's parents were (according to his Wikipedia article)
"Russian Jewish."
The shortened, stand-alone question, "For real?" seems to have emerged much more recently. The oldest instance I found in a far from exhaustive series of Google Books search was from Danzy Senna, Caucasia (1998):
"Birdy Lee? For real?"
"Yeah, for real."
But that expression probably originated in the longer form
of "Are you for real?" meaning "Really?" "
answered Apr 18, 2017; Sven Yargs
-snip-
This is an excerpt of a much longer comment.
****
Online Page #3
From https://www.netinfluencer.com/what-does-real-mean-on-tiktok/ "What Does “Real” Mean On Tiktok?" By David A Published on April 18, 2023
"The Meaning and Usage of “Real” on TikTok
You’ve probably seen the question “Are you for real?” or “Is
this for real?” pop up at some point while browsing TikTok.
But what does the word “real” mean?
TikTok users often use the word “real” to emphasize sincerity or authenticity.
In other words, they are simply trying to find out if you’re serious.
The slang expression emphasizes that you’re sincere and not acting or putting up a false front.
However, “real” on TikTok can have a variety of meanings, depending on the language and culture in which the term is used.
“Real” on TikTok also refers to content that represents actual events or experiences.
It is also used to express a down-to-earth attitude.
Hip-hop culture has often emphasized realness, keeping it
real, or staying true to oneself and one’s roots."...
****
Online Page #4
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/for+real
"for real
1. Serious or legitimate.
Is he for real? There's no way we'll get all this work done
by Friday.
2. Really. Often used as a question.
A: "I just got a raise!" B: "For real? Good
for you!"
Is she for real going to put ketchup on her pasta?"
****
SOME ADDITIONAL ONLINE EXAMPLES OF "FOR REAL"."FOR REAL?" OR "FOR REALS"
These entries are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
1.https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=for%20real
"for real
are you serious
A. I Just won the lottery
B. For real?"
by Anonymous January 4, 2003
**
2. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=for%20real
"for real
not for fake
(ie not false or misleading)
JStoves: For real?
JNA: For real! Not for fake!
**
3. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=for%20real
Can be used in place of "yes."
"Are you coming to watch the jelly-wrestling
Brian?"
by Ross October 14, 2003
**
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvrfLQhQvBAz "New Orleans Mardi Gras 1992 Iberville Projects", published by Gank D, June 28, 2017
a. @JELew-yk3bm, 2022
"It's like Katrina took the whole new Orleans swag
away...y'all had y'all own unique style and language
now the new generation be talking like new yorkers"
**
b. Reply
@enyattalandreaux2286,2022
"@JELew-yk3bm oh
foreal?? Wow 🤣
but nawl we definitely still have our own identity and
uniqueness for sure. The city is not the same the culture still remains"
-snip-
"Nawl" = "no"
**
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvqe5AHhmXg "New Orleans accent tag ya heard meh" published by christie zacharie, Sept 3, 2014
@nola3058, 2022
..." "for true", is another (New
Orleans) way of saying "really" or "for real"!?"
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjgV4OosZpk&t=74s "
Recording Every Day Life
In The 9
@shavonesegura32, 2013
"I LUV MY CITY..C.T.C 4REAL...."
-snip-
Here's information on the abbreviation "CTC" as it relates to the 9th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana: from https://www.epicroadtrips.us/2003/summer/nola/nola_offsite/FQ_en.wikipedia.org/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_9th_Ward.html
..."rapper Mr. Magic, "Mr. Ninth Ward" who popularized the initials "CTC," which stand for "Cross the Canal" refering to the Industrial Canal or "Cut Throat City".
**
7, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nrk8gZyfog "Shaggy--Keep'n It Real". published by jmill292, January 29, 2008
@duvalt87, 2023
"For real
I'll be 36 Sunday and I was 13 in
2000 when this album came out This song helped me when I got bullied and had
bad days in school"
-snip-
Pancocojams Editor's Note: Jamaican recording artist Shaggy's Reggae song "Keep'n It Real" is included in the 2003 American movie Holes, which greatly contributed to it being known in the United States.
**
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWUtG6UQeGQ "Real", published by Kendrick Lamar, July 24, 2008
@dariusjackson1929, 2020
"After hearing the outro this is the kind of stuff that
will make you want to hug your momma and tell her you love her. For real."
9.
"frs
for reals🤞🏼
or for sure🤙🏼
kaylee: hey we need to kick it soon
deja: frsss"
by Got Nic? April 7, 2020
****
DEFINITIONS FOR THE SLANG TERMS "FR" AND "FR FR"
Online Page #1: https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Fr
"Fr
Commonly used as an abbreviated way to say "for
real".
Usually used in texting, as many people use as many abbreviations as possible.
It can be a form of agreement towards someone, or disbelief.
If you use it as disbelief you may put a question mark to
emphasize that you're asking if they're being serious.
Friend 1: "yo dawg, my crush asked me out today!"
Friend 2: "fr?"
Ex. 2: )
Friend 1: "Damn it's cold outside, we might freeze to death."
Friend 2: "yeah, fr."
by FloofityOofity12 November 19, 2019
-snip-
The earliest example of "fr" that I've found online is from urbandictionary.com. That example is given as #2 in the "Additional Examples Of "Fr" section immediately below.
****
Online Page #2
From https://later.com/social-media-glossary/fr/ "WHAT DOES "FR" AND "FR FR" MEAN?
"FR (For Real)
FR, short for "For real", is a slang term that is commonly used to express agreement, confirmation, or sincerity.
