Homie
A close friend, especially one from your neighborhood.
- Origin: recorded in 1940s Harlem usage, per Green’s; first recorded 1940–45, per Dictionary.com
- On the Slang-o-matic wheel: Gen X (born 1965–1980). That is who the translator files it under, not a claim that this generation coined it.
What it means
A homie is a close friend. Cambridge Dictionary says it is short for homeboy or homegirl and means “someone who is from your home town or neighbourhood” or a close friend. People use it about a friend (“my homie”) and to a friend (“Congrats, homie!”). It is also spelled homey.
Where it comes from
Dictionary.com dates homie to 1940–45. Green’s Dictionary of Slang has it in 1940s Harlem: a 1944 handbook of Harlem jive by the columnist Dan Burley uses it as a friendly form of address, “At the same time, homey, I’m eating onions and wiping my eyes.”
Green’s also records a less friendly sense from the same writer: in a 1941 newspaper column, a Homey is a stay-at-home square, as in Burley’s line “a Homey ain’t nowhere.”
Who says it now
The translator files homie under Gen X by its own convention. Dictionary.com says it is associated with “urban and hip hop culture” and with African American and Latinx communities in the U.S., but has entered mainstream use and usually just means a close friend.
Tone
Warm and loyal. Calling someone your homie says you have their back. Dictionary.com notes that “in some cases” it means a fellow gang member, but says it usually just means a close friend. Some people find it awkward when it is borrowed only to sound cool.
What adults hear, what kids mean
A parent might hear homie and think of gangs, from movies or news. A kid saying “that’s my homie” most likely means a good friend from school or the team. Asking “How do you know him?” will tell you more than worrying about the word.
How to use it
Homie works as a noun (“my homies from college”) and as a friendly name for someone (“What’s up, homie?”). It is informal, so it belongs in texts and conversation rather than a work email.
Two examples, written by us:
- My homie from soccer is coming over to play video games.
- She drove three hours to my graduation. That is a real homie.
How to answer it
In a friendly conversation, being called homie is warm, so a friendly reply fits: “Hey, good to see you.” If a kid introduces a friend as their homie, say hello and use the friend’s name; you do not need to use the word yourself.
Same idea, other generations
The Slang-o-matic wheel files Homie under Gen X for the idea of a friend. These are the words it files under the same idea, by generation. They are related, not always exact translations:
- BoomersBuddy
- Gen XHomie
- Gen XCrew
- MillennialsBestie
Related slang
- Kick it (Gen X): To relax and hang out, usually with friends.
- Bestie (Millennials): Your best friend.
- Benjamins (Gen X): Hundred-dollar bills; by extension, money.
Try the slang translatorAll slang by generation
Sources
Meanings and dates on this page come from these dictionaries. Each quote is copied word for word from the linked page.
- Cambridge Dictionary
“short for homeboy or homegirl: someone who is from your home town or neighbourhood (= part of town) or is a close friend”
- Dictionary.com
“Origin of homie First recorded in 1940–45; by shortening and alteration”
“These terms are all associated with urban and hip hop culture”
“In some cases, the words are used to refer to a fellow gang member.”
“However, the terms have entered mainstream use and usually simply refer to a close friend.”
“primarily used by members of African American and Latinx communities in the U. S.”
- Green's Dictionary of Slang
“1944 D. Burley Orig. Hbk of Harlem Jive 12: At the same time, homey, I'm eating onions and wiping my eyes.”
“1941 D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam Star-News 29 Mar. 13: A Lane is a Square”
“a Square is a Homey and a Homey ain't nowhere”