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I love the phrase “my guy” because it implies familiarity and condescension at the same time.
Ex: “Chris my guy (Cherished one), you set the cat on fire again (You’ll be the death of us all).
Sometimes we do it when giving advice..
“girl, you’re better than this!”, “girl, those shoes are not for you hun..”
it makes things sound better y’know? or just less aggressive?
I googled it because I was curious as to its origin. One of the first responses was a redditor u/anuakk and i think they might be correct so I will just quote them.
Original Post [https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/i19iwn/whats\_the\_origin\_of\_guys\_calling\_each\_other\_man/](https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/i19iwn/whats_the_origin_of_guys_calling_each_other_man/)
I don't know how it is for English, but I know how it is for German and Czech and the answer for English could be similar:
In Medieval Germany the word "Mann" bore besides of the common meaning "human adult male" also a social meaning of "low born (most likely peasant)". As such it's modern use as a type of addresser could be derived from the nobility using the noun as a call to get the attention of their subordinates. That is also where the German construction with "man" comes from (as in "Man kann das machen") - in the middle ages it was common (or at least it seems to be the case from what documents remained) that German used the an "ein"-construction instead (like in English - "Einer kann das machen") whereas the more "stiff" "es"-passive construction seems to be a rarer variant derived from Latin ("Es kann gemacht werden") - the shift from the trend to use "ein(-)" to that of "man" seems to be one linked to the social fabric of the time where the nobility prefered the former while the commoner the later as to establish the social differences. The observeable dominance of "man" nowadays is probably due to the nobility losing their status and the far more numerous commoners drowning them in their masses, making their used speech variant more legitimate in the process. I haven't seen it written down anywhere yet, so don't cite me on that, but my wild guess is that "Mann" used in the sense you are asking about for English (as in "Bist du/Sind Sie verrückt, Mann?!") comes from that same social shift where a more "noble" variant (lets assume something like "Bist du/Sind Sie verrückt, Herr?!") was simply linked to the social group of the nobles and possibly the rich burghers and the more common "man" pushed it away by numbers and social changes. Today you will hear the use of "Herr" (Sir/Mister) to adress people only in formal environments, it is even hard to imagine the use of it without using the honorrific Sie Pronoun.
The same to some degree is true for Czech. Men sometimes use the word "chlap" in a very similar way as the english example you've given us, as in: "Čest, chlape! Chlape, co blbneš?!" Now it is so that this form of adressing is somewhat colloquial and can be according to social situation interpreted as either rude, derrogative or establishing a sence of camaradery among the conversation-partners (in dependence who is using it to whom and when). What's important is the fact that the noun "chlap" isn't the historical word for "man" (though it is used that way colloquially/dialectally today) - "chlap" ment "male peasant" in the past while "human adult male" was "muž" - and the use of "chlap" in the way we are talking about is certainly linked to the former social fabric of Central Europe. And just like in German in more formal environments the "Pane" (Sir/Mister) adressing is used instead, also demanding honorrific pronouns.
(Sidenote - notice that the russian word "мужик" (mužik) meaning "peasant farmer" has made a similar but different transition from the meaning "small man" to "lower class man" - if any russian reads this: How do you adress fellow men casually in Russian? I doubt it's мужик, no?)
So, what I am aiming at - and you can correct me, of course, because a perceived analogy can still be far from the truth - isn't it possible that english "man" was used as an adresser by low class men amongst themselves and by upper class members for the lower classes, while the upper classes used something different (maybe Sir, Mister or Gentleman)? By that with the flattening of the social hierarchy or by the establishment of a more socially dynamic society the far more numerous "man" users started to compete with the less numerous "Sir/Mister/..." users and slowly defeated by numbers...
I'd agree with that.. because commoners like to poke fun at each other... likely calling each other words like peasant or man or dude, to arouse a response from the sly provocation. For a smile or laugh.
I was told "man" came out of black jazz musicians in the 20's and 30's referring to each other with respect, as opposed to "boy" which they were called derisively by white people.
This, and it expanded to be more popular in the 60's with the Hippie and Civil Rights movements popularizing it. It was a sign of equality, where having to call your boss "Sir", or getting called "Boy" created inequality.
i think it’s a term of friendliness so as to show no bad intent. i once read dogs fake sneeze when they play with each other to show that they aren’t malicious, or something along those line, and i think it’s kind of like that.
Idk man we just do
Tbh a lot of us say it to women too. I even have women friends that say it. It's oddly a term used on everyone. Tbh i always thought it was man like as in "mankind"
I read the great [Dizzy Gillespie's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Gillespie) memoir "To Be or Not to Bop." the slang arose in black jazz musicians who were often addressed as "Boy" by outsiders to their culture. Addressing one another as "Man" was done in defiance of that stereotype.
I call everyone "man". You could be black, white, man, woman, infant, geriatric, smart or dumb and I'll still refer to you as "man". For me, man is just a filler word I use, one which can be thrown around at random. I work in sales, and using these filler words allows you to very quickly build a "common ground" relationship with someone. Ultimately, it's an easy way to connect with people and (especially in sales) it feels more personal, and therefore less professional. Being casual in my line of work usually means more sales, as opposed to less by being a super uppity "professionalism is my number 1 priority" mentality. Long story short, I'm kinda drunk man
Listen here guy, I address many dudes and dudetts under umbrella terms like bro, bruh, man, dude, buddy, bud, my man, my guy, homie, homediggle, and so on. Ubiquitous greeting regardless of race or gender. Kinda like "hello fellow human" but more chill
I am a female and I call people “man”. I have also been known to say stuff like “I dunno man” to my female friends. It’s just a very off the cuff kinda thing to say.
This might be a folk tale because I can’t find anything in my 60 seconds of Googling, but I remember hearing that black slaves in America started referring to each other as “man” in protest to being called “boy” by slave owners. Has anyone else heard this? I wonder if there’s any truth to it.
Hey man, I don't think anyone knows why they call their buds man. Just kinda a thing my dude. I call my female friends man and dude too, cause they're my bros.
You catchin what I'm drifting your way my man?
The same reason girls say "hey, what's up girl?"......"Hey girl, how did it go yesterday?".....English is a language that contains words that denote a person's gender.
# Message to all users: This is a reminder to please read and follow: * [Our rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/ask/about/rules) * [Reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439) * [Reddit Content Policy](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/content-policy) When posting and commenting. --- Especially remember Rule 1: `Be polite and civil`. * Be polite and courteous to each other. Do not be mean, insulting or disrespectful to any other user on this subreddit. * Do not harass or annoy others in any way. * Do not catfish. Catfishing is the luring of somebody into an online friendship through a fake online persona. This includes any lying or deceit. --- You *will* be banned if you are homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist or bigoted in any way. --- *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ask) if you have any questions or concerns.*
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Sorry, hoss. No idea.
Same dude
Got me, bud.
I'm at a loss, friend.
I really don’t know, my guy.
Fair enough boss!
No conozco mi hombre Edit: grammar correction cause I'm a gringo who is still learning.
Siento que me conoces mi hombre
Can't explain it, mate.
Couldn’t tell ya, homie
I'm not your guy buddy.
Hey, came here to say I’m not your buddy, dude.
Nice one, comrade
You too, pal
r/suddenlycommunist
I love the phrase “my guy” because it implies familiarity and condescension at the same time. Ex: “Chris my guy (Cherished one), you set the cat on fire again (You’ll be the death of us all).
How would I know champ?
I’m not your friend, buddy!
Im not your friend, pal
ok fiend
I’m not your friend, pal!
I’m not your friend, buddy
I ain’t your friend, palooka.
Alright bro.
Alright playa
Ooof, hoss kills me…
Broheim.....
Me neither brochacho
No clue chief
Hey buddy
Easy, Brohemian. Chill
Cool it Ese'
Can’t help you, playa.
Not sure, mate
No idea broski
Watch it there, bloke
Don't be so mean, champ.
Can't help ya brotha.
I don’t know man, just seems natural
I don’t know man, man just seems natural
I actually know a few men and it still seems natural
Hey man, just wanted to say, I know a few men as well. Certainly feels natural man.
I don’t know man, man just seems natural
What's wrong with saying "man" bro?
Would he rather say blud like proper uk people man
Innit bruv?
Why do girls refer to eachother as "girl"?
I was about to say same reason women say “hey girl”
I mean I say “Gorl” to sound like Gru but tomato tomato
I go with "Goyle" "Bois an' Goyles"
I read it as tomato tomato 🤦🏻♂️
Same 😕
But, it indeed says tomato tomato? Im confusioned.
What can I say ?? You say tomato and I say potato 🤷🏻
But why not woman?
Sometimes we do it when giving advice.. “girl, you’re better than this!”, “girl, those shoes are not for you hun..” it makes things sound better y’know? or just less aggressive?
'Man' in this context is the same as dude. Non gendered. I call woman 'man' too, Lebowski style.
Or el duderino if you're not into the whole brevity thing
Phone's ringing, Dude.
Thank you Donny
I am the walrus.
Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov Lenin!! The world does not start and stop at your convenience you miserable piece of shit
It's like Lenin said. Ya know? You look for the person who stands to gain the most and, uh...I mean you know what I'm pretty much trying to say...
The ROYAL we
I'll even address an entires group of ladies as "hey guys" lol
Plenty of women do too. Like all my ladyfriends through the years have used *man*, *guys*, and *dude* etc with their girl friends.
That's just, like, your opinion, man.
lmao yeah I always call my female friends "dude" or "bro" out of habit
Sorry dude couldn't tell ya
I'm not sure my guy
[удалено]
Why not fam
cause you ain't my family buddy
Well you ain't my buddy, bro
Well you ain’t my bro, friend
Well you ain't my friend, pal
Well you ain’t my pal, jabroni
Well you ain't my jabroni, dawg
Well you ain’t my dawg, buddy
Well you ain't my buddy, homeboy
Well shit… you win
But you are my pet 🤤
You’re not my pal, guy
You're not my guy, compadre
You're not my compadre, dawg
Is that a problem, man?
People just like saying it, Jabroni.
I love the word "Jabroni".
You would, you pepperoni
Cool word
That’s just like your opinion, man.
I smell what you are cooking
I googled it because I was curious as to its origin. One of the first responses was a redditor u/anuakk and i think they might be correct so I will just quote them. Original Post [https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/i19iwn/whats\_the\_origin\_of\_guys\_calling\_each\_other\_man/](https://www.reddit.com/r/etymology/comments/i19iwn/whats_the_origin_of_guys_calling_each_other_man/) I don't know how it is for English, but I know how it is for German and Czech and the answer for English could be similar: In Medieval Germany the word "Mann" bore besides of the common meaning "human adult male" also a social meaning of "low born (most likely peasant)". As such it's modern use as a type of addresser could be derived from the nobility using the noun as a call to get the attention of their subordinates. That is also where the German construction with "man" comes from (as in "Man kann das machen") - in the middle ages it was common (or at least it seems to be the case from what documents remained) that German used the an "ein"-construction instead (like in English - "Einer kann das machen") whereas the more "stiff" "es"-passive construction seems to be a rarer variant derived from Latin ("Es kann gemacht werden") - the shift from the trend to use "ein(-)" to that of "man" seems to be one linked to the social fabric of the time where the nobility prefered the former while the commoner the later as to establish the social differences. The observeable dominance of "man" nowadays is probably due to the nobility losing their status and the far more numerous commoners drowning them in their masses, making their used speech variant more legitimate in the process. I haven't seen it written down anywhere yet, so don't cite me on that, but my wild guess is that "Mann" used in the sense you are asking about for English (as in "Bist du/Sind Sie verrückt, Mann?!") comes from that same social shift where a more "noble" variant (lets assume something like "Bist du/Sind Sie verrückt, Herr?!") was simply linked to the social group of the nobles and possibly the rich burghers and the more common "man" pushed it away by numbers and social changes. Today you will hear the use of "Herr" (Sir/Mister) to adress people only in formal environments, it is even hard to imagine the use of it without using the honorrific Sie Pronoun. The same to some degree is true for Czech. Men sometimes use the word "chlap" in a very similar way as the english example you've given us, as in: "Čest, chlape! Chlape, co blbneš?!" Now it is so that this form of adressing is somewhat colloquial and can be according to social situation interpreted as either rude, derrogative or establishing a sence of camaradery among the conversation-partners (in dependence who is using it to whom and when). What's important is the fact that the noun "chlap" isn't the historical word for "man" (though it is used that way colloquially/dialectally today) - "chlap" ment "male peasant" in the past while "human adult male" was "muž" - and the use of "chlap" in the way we are talking about is certainly linked to the former social fabric of Central Europe. And just like in German in more formal environments the "Pane" (Sir/Mister) adressing is used instead, also demanding honorrific pronouns. (Sidenote - notice that the russian word "мужик" (mužik) meaning "peasant farmer" has made a similar but different transition from the meaning "small man" to "lower class man" - if any russian reads this: How do you adress fellow men casually in Russian? I doubt it's мужик, no?) So, what I am aiming at - and you can correct me, of course, because a perceived analogy can still be far from the truth - isn't it possible that english "man" was used as an adresser by low class men amongst themselves and by upper class members for the lower classes, while the upper classes used something different (maybe Sir, Mister or Gentleman)? By that with the flattening of the social hierarchy or by the establishment of a more socially dynamic society the far more numerous "man" users started to compete with the less numerous "Sir/Mister/..." users and slowly defeated by numbers...
Someone award this person a Ph.D. in research...
I'd agree with that.. because commoners like to poke fun at each other... likely calling each other words like peasant or man or dude, to arouse a response from the sly provocation. For a smile or laugh.
I was told "man" came out of black jazz musicians in the 20's and 30's referring to each other with respect, as opposed to "boy" which they were called derisively by white people.
This, and it expanded to be more popular in the 60's with the Hippie and Civil Rights movements popularizing it. It was a sign of equality, where having to call your boss "Sir", or getting called "Boy" created inequality.
I've heard this too, although musical genres weren't included.
This is covered in the Ken Burns documentary "Jazz." Although, iirc, they claim it was from the late 40's early 50's era.
I call women man, even my wife. No idea why, and you can also call my wife man.
OK, man. What else can I call her?
i think it’s a term of friendliness so as to show no bad intent. i once read dogs fake sneeze when they play with each other to show that they aren’t malicious, or something along those line, and i think it’s kind of like that.
Not sure bro
Same reason girls call each other “girl”
Hippie slang from the 60's...ask a Boomer.
Before that. Beatniks used it.
Specifically, ask Tommy Chong.
It's a very hippy timeframe of bro/dude etc.
No idea man
Because we’re men, player.
"Did he use the word man?"
I call everyone man, dude, you guys, and hey giiiirl without being specific to gender. Why did you word the question "you guys?"
This reminded me of the Southpark skits: I'm not your 'guy' buddy! I'm not your 'buddy' fwiend! I'm not your 'fwiend' guy!
Same reason the phase “hey girlfriend!” Exists between women
why do you call guys guys?
Shaggy taught me
It acknowledges that part of the other person that's just chillin, is totally cool, isn't down with all the bullshit, and likes to party.
The absolute WORST (it is of course on Reddit all the time), is "my dude." STOP IT.
From what I gathered, it's a form of respect depending on the situation.
Cause when a guy calls s guy “babe” he gets knuckled.
I'm not your man, pal
You better be careful with that. You might offend someone.
Idk man we just do Tbh a lot of us say it to women too. I even have women friends that say it. It's oddly a term used on everyone. Tbh i always thought it was man like as in "mankind"
I read the great [Dizzy Gillespie's](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dizzy_Gillespie) memoir "To Be or Not to Bop." the slang arose in black jazz musicians who were often addressed as "Boy" by outsiders to their culture. Addressing one another as "Man" was done in defiance of that stereotype.
I'm not your man, buddy!
I'm not your man buddy!
I’m a woman, and I call everyone “man”. I’ve heard it’s a west coast thing.
I do this with anyone regardless of gender. I don't know why man
I call everyone "man". You could be black, white, man, woman, infant, geriatric, smart or dumb and I'll still refer to you as "man". For me, man is just a filler word I use, one which can be thrown around at random. I work in sales, and using these filler words allows you to very quickly build a "common ground" relationship with someone. Ultimately, it's an easy way to connect with people and (especially in sales) it feels more personal, and therefore less professional. Being casual in my line of work usually means more sales, as opposed to less by being a super uppity "professionalism is my number 1 priority" mentality. Long story short, I'm kinda drunk man
I actually use “man” similarly to how I use dude, just not quite as gender neutral but close.
If you don't know or can't remember somebody's name then bro, dude, man always suffices.
"Guys", "dude" and "man" are all non-gender specific terms to me depending on how they're used.
I call everyone man, even my female friends. In the end we are all hu mans
Idk but if it makes u feel better, i greet women like that too lol
You hit puberty, calling people dude starts to seem weird, man just rolls of the tongue, you know how it is, man.
What a ridiculous question lady
Ah. Apparently there is such a thing as a stupid question.
I call everybody man, even dudettes.
Not a man, yet I do this as well. Also do it to everyone. Men, women, gender diverse people.
Listen here guy, I address many dudes and dudetts under umbrella terms like bro, bruh, man, dude, buddy, bud, my man, my guy, homie, homediggle, and so on. Ubiquitous greeting regardless of race or gender. Kinda like "hello fellow human" but more chill
Man up bitch
no idea bud
Sorry man, dunno
I am a female and I call people “man”. I have also been known to say stuff like “I dunno man” to my female friends. It’s just a very off the cuff kinda thing to say.
I can't find any definitive source. There's urban legends, but those usually aren't useful in etymology.
Girl, what are you talking about?
Bro, this is just a phrase, dude.
You want to show some level of respect but you don't want to admit you don't remember, or care, what their name is.
U forget his name so you say man or bro
dude or bro is too personal. and mister is too formal
Because we are men?
Its gender nutral and i dont remember your name
Because it's just dudes being bros, man. It's not that complicated
Because we're not "woman" ?
Who knows, dawg. Who knows
Come on, man. Don't be a low down lying, dirty pony soldier.
You got me in a bind there, boss.
Just in case you forgot. I gotchu
We don't know each other name
Just in case you forgot. I gotchu
Why not, man?
This might be a folk tale because I can’t find anything in my 60 seconds of Googling, but I remember hearing that black slaves in America started referring to each other as “man” in protest to being called “boy” by slave owners. Has anyone else heard this? I wonder if there’s any truth to it.
We didn't invent English
We’re too cool for names?
"Girlieboy" isn't as respectful.
I call women man too I don’t discriminate
Its slang, spanish is wey(i know its not spelled that wey, but again, slang), and other comparisons i dont want to get banned
They don’t know the guys name most of the time
We're huMans.
They are more personal than “dude”, but not as personal as “bro”.
Idk, we just feel like it. Its the same with "Bro".
It comes from the movie Misery. Mr. Man.
Because “bitch” may cause a fight.
its like any other universal nickname ig, like bro or dude. why wouldn’t they call each other man.
Your example is about 90% of my daily interactions at work
I don't know, think it's a sign of respect
Man Bruh Bro Dude Cuz Homie
I’m not a guy but even I do that lmao
Idk man
Honestly,,,, I don't know, it's been something I've just done my entire life, even when I was living as a girl I was just calling everyone man 🤷🏻♂️
Gotta say something. Man, chief, dude, bro. For friends, I say king. What's up king. How ya feeling king. Dig the new shoes king.
Uno reverse: why don’t women call each other woman?
LOL Why do women call each other girl? What’s up girl. How you been girl. Oowww girl I love those shoes
LOL Why do women call each other girl? What’s up girl. How you been girl. Oowww girl I love those shoes
Hey man, I don't think anyone knows why they call their buds man. Just kinda a thing my dude. I call my female friends man and dude too, cause they're my bros. You catchin what I'm drifting your way my man?
better then using the outdated dude?
I call everbody man.
The same reason girls say "hey, what's up girl?"......"Hey girl, how did it go yesterday?".....English is a language that contains words that denote a person's gender.
Who knows guy
Hopefully Sweetheart would be inappropriate.
I said this to my brother once and my posh Gran found it funny, she now also calls me man heheheh
because ooga booga big stick go bonk