Origin of “deez nuts”
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I really hate to ask this one, but...
When I was a child, some thirty plus years ago, there was a popular juvenile game where you would try to trick a friend into asking a question that could be answered with the mildly obscene reply "deez nuts!" (meaning "these testicles"). Sample:
Jokester: Did you get that CD?
Victim: What CD?
Jokester: See deez nuts!
Apparently everything old is new again --I was recently ambushed with a "deez nuts" joke by some current teenagers of my acquaintance. Upon investigation, the old chestnut has apparently returned to currency due to a series of popular Vine videos starring a young man of amazingly unusual looks.
However, my question is this --where did the joke originally come from? Does it date from the 80's or is it even older? I'm fairly certain it originates somewhere within the black American urban subculture --maybe a skit on a rap album? I've done some research, but all the citations trace back only to the recent videos, nothing any further.
etymology slang jokes
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I really hate to ask this one, but...
When I was a child, some thirty plus years ago, there was a popular juvenile game where you would try to trick a friend into asking a question that could be answered with the mildly obscene reply "deez nuts!" (meaning "these testicles"). Sample:
Jokester: Did you get that CD?
Victim: What CD?
Jokester: See deez nuts!
Apparently everything old is new again --I was recently ambushed with a "deez nuts" joke by some current teenagers of my acquaintance. Upon investigation, the old chestnut has apparently returned to currency due to a series of popular Vine videos starring a young man of amazingly unusual looks.
However, my question is this --where did the joke originally come from? Does it date from the 80's or is it even older? I'm fairly certain it originates somewhere within the black American urban subculture --maybe a skit on a rap album? I've done some research, but all the citations trace back only to the recent videos, nothing any further.
etymology slang jokes
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26
add a comment |
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
up vote
7
down vote
favorite
I really hate to ask this one, but...
When I was a child, some thirty plus years ago, there was a popular juvenile game where you would try to trick a friend into asking a question that could be answered with the mildly obscene reply "deez nuts!" (meaning "these testicles"). Sample:
Jokester: Did you get that CD?
Victim: What CD?
Jokester: See deez nuts!
Apparently everything old is new again --I was recently ambushed with a "deez nuts" joke by some current teenagers of my acquaintance. Upon investigation, the old chestnut has apparently returned to currency due to a series of popular Vine videos starring a young man of amazingly unusual looks.
However, my question is this --where did the joke originally come from? Does it date from the 80's or is it even older? I'm fairly certain it originates somewhere within the black American urban subculture --maybe a skit on a rap album? I've done some research, but all the citations trace back only to the recent videos, nothing any further.
etymology slang jokes
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
I really hate to ask this one, but...
When I was a child, some thirty plus years ago, there was a popular juvenile game where you would try to trick a friend into asking a question that could be answered with the mildly obscene reply "deez nuts!" (meaning "these testicles"). Sample:
Jokester: Did you get that CD?
Victim: What CD?
Jokester: See deez nuts!
Apparently everything old is new again --I was recently ambushed with a "deez nuts" joke by some current teenagers of my acquaintance. Upon investigation, the old chestnut has apparently returned to currency due to a series of popular Vine videos starring a young man of amazingly unusual looks.
However, my question is this --where did the joke originally come from? Does it date from the 80's or is it even older? I'm fairly certain it originates somewhere within the black American urban subculture --maybe a skit on a rap album? I've done some research, but all the citations trace back only to the recent videos, nothing any further.
etymology slang jokes
etymology slang jokes
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
asked Apr 23 '15 at 3:29
Chris Sunami
18.5k23677
18.5k23677
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26
add a comment |
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary - Page 26 Rick Ayers - 2004
Deez-nuts (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.
Used to refer to oneself. "I'm not going to let anyone mess with
deez-nuts."
Also: Negative response to a question. “Hey, pass that
joint.” “Deez-nuts.”
[Origin : Hip Hop]
A 1985 reference:
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and UnconventionalThe New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional ... Eric
Partridge, Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor - 2006
“I'm not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts”— Peter Smith and Fred
M Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds. p. 18, 1985
Contradicting that is:
Deez nuts is a phrase that originated from the song "Deeez Nuuuts" on
Dr. Dre's original album "The Chronic", released in 1992.
(www.chacha.com)
Also, incomplete:
Cassell's Dictionary of Slang - Page 393 Jonathon Green - 2005
deez (nuts) n. [1990s+] (US Black) the testicles; the male genitals.
[SE these + NUTS n.2 (1)] def adj. [1970s+] (orig. US Black) perfect, excellent, first-rate.
[? Black pron. of SE death or abbr. SE definitive. Note 1907 cit. in Cassidy [???]
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
"Deez Nuts" may be ultimately derived from Dr. Dre's album, Chronic, or merely juvenile silliness.
But in 2015, the expression was popularized, or repopularized, by a viral meme created by Instagram user WelvendaGreat.
According to knowyourmeme.com:
"Deez Nuts is the punchline of a conversational joke that involves asking someone a vaguely-phrased question to solicit a follow-up question in response, typically in the form of one of the five Ws, before yelling out the said phrase in an obnoxious manner. While originally introduced as a skit track on Dr. Dre's 1992 rap album Chronic, the joke saw a huge resurgence after it was featured in a short comedic sketch by Internet comedian WelvenDaGreat in early 2015."
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deez-nuts
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
add a comment |
protected by Andrew Leach♦ May 16 '15 at 19:08
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary - Page 26 Rick Ayers - 2004
Deez-nuts (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.
Used to refer to oneself. "I'm not going to let anyone mess with
deez-nuts."
Also: Negative response to a question. “Hey, pass that
joint.” “Deez-nuts.”
[Origin : Hip Hop]
A 1985 reference:
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and UnconventionalThe New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional ... Eric
Partridge, Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor - 2006
“I'm not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts”— Peter Smith and Fred
M Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds. p. 18, 1985
Contradicting that is:
Deez nuts is a phrase that originated from the song "Deeez Nuuuts" on
Dr. Dre's original album "The Chronic", released in 1992.
(www.chacha.com)
Also, incomplete:
Cassell's Dictionary of Slang - Page 393 Jonathon Green - 2005
deez (nuts) n. [1990s+] (US Black) the testicles; the male genitals.
[SE these + NUTS n.2 (1)] def adj. [1970s+] (orig. US Black) perfect, excellent, first-rate.
[? Black pron. of SE death or abbr. SE definitive. Note 1907 cit. in Cassidy [???]
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary - Page 26 Rick Ayers - 2004
Deez-nuts (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.
Used to refer to oneself. "I'm not going to let anyone mess with
deez-nuts."
Also: Negative response to a question. “Hey, pass that
joint.” “Deez-nuts.”
[Origin : Hip Hop]
A 1985 reference:
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and UnconventionalThe New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional ... Eric
Partridge, Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor - 2006
“I'm not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts”— Peter Smith and Fred
M Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds. p. 18, 1985
Contradicting that is:
Deez nuts is a phrase that originated from the song "Deeez Nuuuts" on
Dr. Dre's original album "The Chronic", released in 1992.
(www.chacha.com)
Also, incomplete:
Cassell's Dictionary of Slang - Page 393 Jonathon Green - 2005
deez (nuts) n. [1990s+] (US Black) the testicles; the male genitals.
[SE these + NUTS n.2 (1)] def adj. [1970s+] (orig. US Black) perfect, excellent, first-rate.
[? Black pron. of SE death or abbr. SE definitive. Note 1907 cit. in Cassidy [???]
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
up vote
2
down vote
accepted
Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary - Page 26 Rick Ayers - 2004
Deez-nuts (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.
Used to refer to oneself. "I'm not going to let anyone mess with
deez-nuts."
Also: Negative response to a question. “Hey, pass that
joint.” “Deez-nuts.”
[Origin : Hip Hop]
A 1985 reference:
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and UnconventionalThe New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional ... Eric
Partridge, Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor - 2006
“I'm not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts”— Peter Smith and Fred
M Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds. p. 18, 1985
Contradicting that is:
Deez nuts is a phrase that originated from the song "Deeez Nuuuts" on
Dr. Dre's original album "The Chronic", released in 1992.
(www.chacha.com)
Also, incomplete:
Cassell's Dictionary of Slang - Page 393 Jonathon Green - 2005
deez (nuts) n. [1990s+] (US Black) the testicles; the male genitals.
[SE these + NUTS n.2 (1)] def adj. [1970s+] (orig. US Black) perfect, excellent, first-rate.
[? Black pron. of SE death or abbr. SE definitive. Note 1907 cit. in Cassidy [???]
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
Berkeley High School Slang Dictionary - Page 26 Rick Ayers - 2004
Deez-nuts (deez nutz) n., Literally, these testicles.
Used to refer to oneself. "I'm not going to let anyone mess with
deez-nuts."
Also: Negative response to a question. “Hey, pass that
joint.” “Deez-nuts.”
[Origin : Hip Hop]
A 1985 reference:
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and UnconventionalThe New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional ... Eric
Partridge, Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor - 2006
“I'm not going to let anyone mess with deez-nuts”— Peter Smith and Fred
M Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds. p. 18, 1985
Contradicting that is:
Deez nuts is a phrase that originated from the song "Deeez Nuuuts" on
Dr. Dre's original album "The Chronic", released in 1992.
(www.chacha.com)
Also, incomplete:
Cassell's Dictionary of Slang - Page 393 Jonathon Green - 2005
deez (nuts) n. [1990s+] (US Black) the testicles; the male genitals.
[SE these + NUTS n.2 (1)] def adj. [1970s+] (orig. US Black) perfect, excellent, first-rate.
[? Black pron. of SE death or abbr. SE definitive. Note 1907 cit. in Cassidy [???]
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
edited Dec 16 '15 at 9:13
Mari-Lou A
61.3k54215450
61.3k54215450
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
answered Apr 23 '15 at 3:42
Marius Hancu
7,0441612
7,0441612
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
|
show 1 more comment
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
1
1
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
It's definitely at least 15-20 years older than that...
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 3:44
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
I see you edited some new info into this post. I'm sure The Chronic gave it a new wave of popularity, but it's older than that.... The 1985 citation seems about the right date, but it doesn't give any origins.
– Chris Sunami
Apr 23 '15 at 12:47
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
Does there have to be an "origin"? deez sounds like these, it's the kind of thing that kids just make up. It's like asking who invented "Duck, Duck, Goose!"
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:38
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I suspect the revival is related to the popularity of the z sound, and other urban mispronunciations, in hip-hop culture.
– Barmar
Apr 27 '15 at 21:39
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
I've thought about it more, and it's possible that The Chronic is the right origin for its entry into mainstream culture --I could be misremembering hearing it earlier than that. I'm going to mark this accepted.
– Chris Sunami
May 7 '15 at 16:35
|
show 1 more comment
up vote
0
down vote
"Deez Nuts" may be ultimately derived from Dr. Dre's album, Chronic, or merely juvenile silliness.
But in 2015, the expression was popularized, or repopularized, by a viral meme created by Instagram user WelvendaGreat.
According to knowyourmeme.com:
"Deez Nuts is the punchline of a conversational joke that involves asking someone a vaguely-phrased question to solicit a follow-up question in response, typically in the form of one of the five Ws, before yelling out the said phrase in an obnoxious manner. While originally introduced as a skit track on Dr. Dre's 1992 rap album Chronic, the joke saw a huge resurgence after it was featured in a short comedic sketch by Internet comedian WelvenDaGreat in early 2015."
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deez-nuts
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
"Deez Nuts" may be ultimately derived from Dr. Dre's album, Chronic, or merely juvenile silliness.
But in 2015, the expression was popularized, or repopularized, by a viral meme created by Instagram user WelvendaGreat.
According to knowyourmeme.com:
"Deez Nuts is the punchline of a conversational joke that involves asking someone a vaguely-phrased question to solicit a follow-up question in response, typically in the form of one of the five Ws, before yelling out the said phrase in an obnoxious manner. While originally introduced as a skit track on Dr. Dre's 1992 rap album Chronic, the joke saw a huge resurgence after it was featured in a short comedic sketch by Internet comedian WelvenDaGreat in early 2015."
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deez-nuts
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
"Deez Nuts" may be ultimately derived from Dr. Dre's album, Chronic, or merely juvenile silliness.
But in 2015, the expression was popularized, or repopularized, by a viral meme created by Instagram user WelvendaGreat.
According to knowyourmeme.com:
"Deez Nuts is the punchline of a conversational joke that involves asking someone a vaguely-phrased question to solicit a follow-up question in response, typically in the form of one of the five Ws, before yelling out the said phrase in an obnoxious manner. While originally introduced as a skit track on Dr. Dre's 1992 rap album Chronic, the joke saw a huge resurgence after it was featured in a short comedic sketch by Internet comedian WelvenDaGreat in early 2015."
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deez-nuts
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
"Deez Nuts" may be ultimately derived from Dr. Dre's album, Chronic, or merely juvenile silliness.
But in 2015, the expression was popularized, or repopularized, by a viral meme created by Instagram user WelvendaGreat.
According to knowyourmeme.com:
"Deez Nuts is the punchline of a conversational joke that involves asking someone a vaguely-phrased question to solicit a follow-up question in response, typically in the form of one of the five Ws, before yelling out the said phrase in an obnoxious manner. While originally introduced as a skit track on Dr. Dre's 1992 rap album Chronic, the joke saw a huge resurgence after it was featured in a short comedic sketch by Internet comedian WelvenDaGreat in early 2015."
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/deez-nuts
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
answered 4 hours ago
PJB
74444
74444
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
add a comment |
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
1
1
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
The other answer has a 1985 citation, predating Dr. Dre's album.
– Laurel
4 hours ago
add a comment |
protected by Andrew Leach♦ May 16 '15 at 19:08
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
Deez Nutz for President!
– user98990
Sep 17 '15 at 22:26