I came across the word homey in the movie Coach Carter. That's how it was:
Lyle, why don't you shut up your mouth before I close it for good?
You didn't do shit either the whole game.
What, homey? [...]
asked Apr 11, 2015 at 18:54
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Related question: Pinole homey meaning– ColleenVCommented Jul 21, 2020 at 19:11
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1 Answer
Homey (usually spelled ‹homie› to distinguish it from the word meaning “homelike, comfortable”) is a diminutive form of homeboy, meaning originally someone from your own hometown or neighborhood but in contemporary urban slang anyone of your own culture, and by extension any comrade or colleague. As a term of address it is now in such wide use that in many cases it means little more than guy, and may be used (as in your example) with no implication of affection.
There’s an article on the word at Wikipedia where the complex origin of the term is discussed.
answered Apr 11, 2015 at 19:15
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Will it sound a little offensive if I come to one of my colleague and say "Hey, homey. What're doing right here?" Commented Apr 11, 2015 at 19:27
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I don't think it would be considered "Offensive" but it's definitely not very professional. The word has connotations with thugs in my mind. Commented Apr 11, 2015 at 19:37
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5@DmitryFucintv The core function of slang is to assert membership in the speech community which uses it, so you should use it only within that community and avoid using it until there is clear evidence that you are accepted into that community. Commented Apr 11, 2015 at 19:40
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1@BigHomie Thanks, man. I'm always a little nervous when I pontificate about the slang used by people fifty years younger than I am. Commented Apr 12, 2015 at 1:54