"What you saying?" -- How do you answer to that?

[highlife]

There is a time and place for slang but I agree that people should make an effort to speak English properly. I wouldn't go as far as ignoring someone but eventually poor communication will negatively affect them down the road. For example, my younger brother used to say "like" in every sentence until he went looking for a job. I told him that no one will hire him if he didn't get rid of his high school "slang". He didn't believe me until an interviewer actually called him out on this (whoops, is "called him out" slang?, oh well..) . So my brother forced himself not to say "like" at the start or end of every sentence and he was able to land a job shortly thereafter. Stupid kid....

 

[GenerationW]

How many times would Clint Eastwood's Gran Torino character growl while reading this thread?

 

[jn_12]

My parents did, not me. And can you try not to be personal? It's not going to get you anywhere.

What was that wooshing sound?

 

[Translude15]

You can be ghetto and still wear a suit. When I say ghetto, I usually mean the stereotypical rap listening people who smoke weed and like fast cars and chicks who look like they make porn.
None of my friends talk like this. I don't think it's a generational thing if you ask me. I think it's more of a cultural thing. If you take people from the time that this phrase came about, the majority in that age group probably don't say it, and probably never have.

So basically you're relegating this form of greeting to black people. How old are you? 12?

 

[syn]

People have been saying this for years, it's nothing new. They're basically asking "whats up?".

 

[GraphicMatt]

In this thread, an innocent question about modern language turned us all into crochety old racists. Apparently.

 

[junctionist]

People have been saying this for years, it's nothing new. They're basically asking "whats up?".

It seems to have a more interesting dimension to it, namely that it's asking for a casual opinion about anything.

i.e.
"What you saying?"
"These wooden poles and overhead wires really detract from the beauty of this city."
"True dat."

 

[Urban Shocker]

I've always been rather fond of "How's it hangin' dude?" Women friends feel particularly honoured when I greet them that way.

 

[doady]

You can be ghetto and still wear a suit. When I say ghetto, I usually mean the stereotypical rap listening people who smoke weed and like fast cars and chicks who look like they make porn.
None of my friends talk like this. I don't think it's a generational thing if you ask me. I think it's more of a cultural thing. If you take people from the time that this phrase came about, the majority in that age group probably don't say it, and probably never have.

I know a lot people (early 20 year olds) who talk like this and none of them listen to rap or smoke weed or drive fast cars or look like (mainstream) porn stars. It is natural to talk like this for many people, including myself.

As for porn, any chicks could be making porn these days. It is the internet age. Underground amateur pornography is a best kind of pornography. Average girls doing nasty things, it is awesome.

 

[khris]

So basically you're relegating this form of greeting to black people. How old are you? 12?

That's entirely an assumption that you're making. I'm 29.

Although if you want to talk about black people... a lot of slang does come from black people. Ever heard of ebonics? I didn't invent that word.

 

[Towered]

I hate most slang of any type and have tried to avoid using it in the past, but I have found myself reluctantly accepting it in recent years and even using it on occasion in social situations where there are people several years younger than me in an attempt to not seem out of touch with current pop culture. One must adapt to changing times to stay relevant, no?

I am a whore

 

[doady]

Although if you want to talk about black people... a lot of slang does come from black people. .

Are you saying that a lot slang doesn't come from white people as well? Because that's just bollocks.

 

[syn]

It seems to have a more interesting dimension to it, namely that it's asking for a casual opinion about anything.

i.e.
"What you saying?"
"These wooden poles and overhead wires really detract from the beauty of this city."
"True dat."

Maybe in some instances, but generally speaking it's the equivalent of "what's up?".

I can't believe this is generating so much tension.

 

[marcus_a_j]

"What you saying?"
"I think you're hearing things"

 

[khris]

Are you saying that a lot slang doesn't come from white people as well? Because that's just bollocks.

All you do is antagonize. I think that is your sole purpose on UT.

No where did I say that slang doesn't come from white people. You might as well say "Are you saying that a lot of slang doesn't come from (insert race here) people as well?", but no, you chose to say white for some reason.
I simply used black people because I was quoting someone who mentioned black people. Try and actually read before replying, instead of trying to make me look bad.