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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