Where does the slang word "Folk" originate from? (homes, mall)
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I've noticed in pensacola florida a highly used slang word is "folk"
What's up folk
folk this folk that, used like the word "dude" and thrown in sentences left and right. I also notice that this is big among some Chicago areas. I am just wondering if you hear this word often among the slang? Does anyone know where it originated from?
I've noticed in pensacola florida a highly used slang word is "folk"
What's up folk
folk this folk that, used like the word "dude" and thrown in sentences left and right. I also notice that this is big among some Chicago areas. I am just wondering if you hear this word often among the slang? Does anyone know where it originated from?
It's not slang, it is an old English word for people.
I hear old people say it in the Midwest a lot. My grandparents always used "folks" for people. They usually only used it in a jokingly way though, like talking about "us old folks". Lots of retirement homes were commonly referred to as "old folks homes".
When talking to someone and asking about their parents or if their parents give them permission people would always say "what are your folks up to?". "Do the folks care if you come?".
I normally associated it as the word "your parents" unless it was used in a term like old folks home, and then it was obviously just "people".
It's used differently in the South as opposed to Chicago. In the South, it's just another word for people he knows, friends, or family. In Chicago, it's mostly used or known in relation to gangs. I instantly noticed the difference once I visited Chicago. It's not originally a slang word but was turned into one. I might by generalizing for Chicago though but that's what I observed when I was up there with my family.
I am from the south. These types of comments are pretty common:
"Come on, folks, let's go." (come on, everyone)
"What did your folks get you for Christmas?" (parents)
"All my folks will be there." (big family gathering)
"The old folks will want some Elvis or Sinatra tunes at the reception." (elderly people)
"Wow, the mall was full of all sorts of folks!" (people in general)
The word comes from the German word "volk" meaning people. But I think the OP must be talking about some newish slang word, which I haven't heard because I am apparently very uncool.
Folk is an old English word for people. It is related to the German word "volk", English being a Germanic language.
The word Folk has been around a long time, I am kind of surprised the OP finds it unusual. Some examples:
Folklore (good one 11kap)
Folk Songs
Folk Art
Folk Hero
Old Folks
Young Folks
Rich Folks
Poor Folks
Kinfolk
Country folk
Folktale
Norfolk (literally North people)
Suffolk (literally South people)
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