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Dry Snitch: Meaning, Definition, Origin, Examples, Synonyms, and More - Factsheet
Word Type: Verb
Pronunciation:
British English: /draɪ snɪtʃ/
U.S. English: /draɪ snɪtʃ/
Rhyming Words: itch, ditch, switch
Field: Slang, African American Vernacular English (AAVE)
First Known Use: 1984
Etymology
The term dry snitch originated in U.S. prison slang in the 1980s.
Dry: Implies subtlety or lack of directness.
Snitch: A slang term for an informant or someone who "tells on" others.
Together, dry snitch refers to the act of indirectly or covertly informing on someone, often in a way that lacks explicit speech but still conveys incriminating information.
Meaning & Use
Definition
To Inform Indirectly: To covertly or inadvertently reveal information about someone to an authority figure, often without directly accusing them.
To Expose Through Actions: To unintentionally incriminate oneself or others by one’s actions, words, or behavior.
Key Characteristics
Often involves subtle gestures, body language, or offhand remarks.
Can occur intentionally or unintentionally.
Quotations in Context
1984:“The only prisoner excluded from all social groups is the rat or snitch ‘informer.’ Related terms are scurvy ‘backstabber’ and dry snitch ‘inform without speaking, by making a sign with the eye.’”— SECOL Review
2008:“These guys... had one of their bosses appearing in music videos with stacks of money on a table, and billboards announcing their presence. It's like they were dry snitching on themselves.”— Supreme Understanding, How to Hustle & Win
2010:“I kinda dry snitched on a colleague by copying his boss on an email, but I’ve tried for 2 weeks to get this done w/ him to no avail.”— @EddieBaseball on Twitter
2017:“The interview trended online... King’s not too happy... Kenya told me he’s heated that I dry snitched.”— A. Thomas, The Hate U Give
Pronunciation
Phonetic: /draɪ snɪtʃ/
Rhyming Words: itch, ditch, switch
The stress is placed evenly across both words: DRY SNITCH.
Examples in Everyday Use
Intentional Exposure:
“She dry snitched on her friend by casually mentioning the party to the teacher.”
Unintentional Self-Incrimination:
“Posting a picture with stolen goods on social media is just dry snitching on yourself.”
Office Context:
“He dry snitched on his coworker by forwarding the email thread to their manager.”
Cultural Reference:
“The rapper’s lyrics were so specific, it sounded like dry snitching about their crew.”
Synonyms
Indirectly inform
Subtle tattling
Unintentional exposure
Covert telling
Inadvertent incrimination
Cultural and Social Significance
Prison Slang Roots: Originating in prisons, dry snitching carries a connotation of betrayal without explicit accusation.
Modern Usage: Now commonly used in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and broader slang contexts, referring to any indirect or inadvertent revealing of sensitive information.
Pop Culture: Frequently referenced in music, movies, and social media to describe behavior that compromises loyalty or discretion.
Conclusion
Dry snitch is a vivid slang term that captures the act of indirectly exposing information, whether intentional or not. Originating in prison culture, it has expanded into everyday language, reflecting a nuanced form of communication and self-awareness. Its enduring use in modern vernacular underscores the complexities of trust and discretion in interpersonal and societal interactions.
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