Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is a very interesting look at language used within Black culture. I really appreciated the context that was added to different phrases, and the intersectionality with the language within Black LGBTQIA+ culture. The book also touches on how these phrases have been used within American culture without the underlying cultural context.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

As and African American librarian, I was looking forward to this book. But I was not sure that I would learn any black English. To my great pleasure I learned a lot. I think some of our English phrases are regional. It was fun to go through them and see what I knew and learn some that I didn't. A good book to add to a library collection.

“Historically Black Phrases: From 'I Ain't One of Your Lil' Friends' to 'Who All Gon' Be There?'" by Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson is a delightful exploration of the linguistic richness embedded in Black culture. The book not only celebrates the vibrancy of these phrases but also provides insightful context and anecdotes, offering readers a deeper understanding of their cultural significance. Hill and Anderson's collaborative effort is engaging and thoughtfully presented, inviting readers to appreciate the nuance and history behind each phrase. With humor and authenticity, the authors create a bridge between generations, making this book a valuable resource for cultural understanding and connection. "Historically Black Phrases" is a celebration of language, community, and the enduring legacy of expressions that have shaped conversations within the Black diaspora.

This is a fast-paced survey of words and phrases used in US Black culture. Many of the entries are funny, and the content is organized thematically. Overall, I think I most appreciated the accompanying essays, which often provided a wonderfully useful context to the individual entries. A solid and affectionate introduction to a too-often undervalued vernacular.

I’ve always enjoyed reading books on language and how it spreads and evolves over time. I also think it’s important to understand what words mean and how that meaning changes by the person speaking.

In Historically Black Phrases, the reader is given the opportunity to learn the meaning behind phrases, some with origin stories or “pop culture moments” that brought the phrases into common usage.

I think it’s important to examine how the media uses yet denigrates AAVE. This book shows the complexity and beauty in the language and hopefully helps the reader consider the fluidity and power of language.

I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review

This compilation covers a vast array of historically Black phrases. So much so, that it took me awhile to get through it. Many I was familiar with, some I had heard, and quite a few were new to me. I appreciated the pronunciation and history. I noticed that my white family uses a number of these phrases and I’m curious if some of these are rural/southern in general or if they have specifically Black roots. A really interesting collection! ARC from NetGalley

Visually, Historically Black Phrases is a beautiful book. It is marketed as a collection of common Black phrases as well as their pronunciation, "translation", usage, and an example of each phrase used in context. I wanted to like it, but almost all of the phrases were not only familiar to me as a white person, but they are phrases I use in my everyday speech - phrases such as "now mind you...", "come to find out...", "put on blast", and "old soul". I think the keyword in the title is "historically". I assume that these phrases were originally sayings that originated in Black culture and have now become mainstream for the most part. However, this wasn't really talked about in the book. If that was the goal, it would have been helpful if information was included such as when and where the phrases originated.

Thanks to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for a review copy of this book.

5/5

“This book is about pride and preservation. ‘Historically Black Phrases’ is our love letter to our people. We see you. We see each other.”

This was such a fun read! I throughly enjoyed reading the pronunciations as I don’t always realize HOW I’m saying certain phrases. My favorite add ons were the pop culture moments that explained when the term became famous. I loved the colors and visuals, this would make a great coffee table book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #HistoricallyBlackPhrases

I had a lot of fun reading it. It was like taking a trip down a linguistic memory lane. Loved the setup that includes pronunciation, translation and examples including pop culture moments. I was familiar with 95% of the words/phrases. I also did a re-read with my husband which was a fun experience. Loved the commentary with each chapter. Definitely recommend, even if you think you know all of the phrases in the book. It’s a great conversation piece. This is a great gift book for the holidays.

I loved this! It would definitely be a good conversation starter/coffee table book. It explains the phrases. I was pleasantly surprised to see a section with the pronunciation. It just made me think of how some people see “Chile” and pronounce it “chilly”. So yea very much needed. It’s a pretty plain book as far as graphics but I think that makes it look more sleek. It’s eye catching but to the point and easy to read. I like the examples used in sentences as well. I would definitely recommend this book. I feel like it celebrates and jokes without making a mockery of AAVE.

NAILED IT!

I was so happy to receive a copy of Historically Black Phrases for a variety of reasons. But let's be sure to not overlook the brilliance of this title alone. Thank you to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

One of the many reasons I was eager to dive into this book is because it is in essence a celebration. A love letter to the Black community that says we see you, we feel, and we hear you. Despite its influence and domination in pop culture Black vernacular, as with many other facets, does not receive its flowers in the way that it should. This book recognizes this fact and pays homage in a way that matters.

Historically Black Phrases is a humorous celebration of more than 200 popular staples of Black thought and conversation that will resonate with almost everyone. It is an exploration of culture, pride and preservation. Here are a few examples of some of my favorite phrases, presently:

* too much like right
* okay, so boom
* tighten up
* don't nobody want
* on (some/that) bullshit

I'm very pleased with how this book came together and the mechanics of how it is comprised. This is one of those resources that we should all have in our homes in the way that our families and friends used to keep encyclopedias back in the day.

Historically Black Phrases releases on September 19, 2023

Hashtags: #HistoricallyBlackPhrases #JarrettHill #TrevellAnderson #ClarksonPotter #TenSpeedPress #NetGalley #NonFiction #AdultNonFiction #Language #20BooksByBlackFolx #ARCReader #LuvsReviews

This ARC has a great title and a beautiful cover, along with lots of humor and insight into modern American pop culture. I had to check it out!

Each page starts with the phrase or word under discussion, a pronunciation, a definition, an example of usage, and occasionally an extra sidebar explaining the phrase's origin or big pop culture moment. There are no dry definitions here. All information is shared with love and lots of humor. Even if you are tapped into culture, have teens, and/or are extremely online, there will be plenty of new phrases to learn.

I also love that our authors get outside experts to weigh in. In one sidebar, linguist and educator Dr. Charity Hudley points out that how we choose to use language is now, and has always been, a form of resistance. In another chapter, Anderson and hill note that Black youth (and especially queer Black youth) are language innovators who create and popularize new phrases that constantly pop up in mainstream American culture.

A wry, fun, educational book written by the two smartest people in the room.

Prior to the September 19, 2023, publication, Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press provided an early galley for review.

Seeing the title and description of this one, I felt I had to check it out. Lifelong dabbler in writing myself, I am always interested in language, phrases and learning the history behind them. While some of these were very familar to me, there were ones that I was learning about for the first time.

The phrases are grouped into thematic categories like "cautions and warnings", "consequences and repercussions", "gossip and storytelling", "inspiring and affirming" and more. Then each phrase is presented, followed by pronunciation (if needed), translation, usage and an example. This makes things easy to understand. The presentation is very clean and organized; the fonts, colors and layout on the page are pleasing to the eye.

This is one I'd definitely add to my writer's reference shelf.

What attracts me to a book is its cover then the title. It is the first impression. In this case, I was even more interested because of the subtitle: From "I Ain't One of Your Lil' Friends" to "Who All Gon' Be There?" If you have never uttered one of these phrases, then just close my review now because you will not understand or fully grasp what this new book means to the culture.

I knew Historically Black Phrases would live up to its title soon as I read the dedication: "To Boo Boo the Fool." So I settled in with a cup of southern sweet tea and a slice of 7-Up pound cake while I read through this dictionary in one sitting. Its contents are divided into sections including compliments, church sayings, units of measure and more. It is a celebration of our language!

When I tell you I cackled and slapped my knees in laughter as I read almost every page. The phrases are spot-on and so widely used in the Black community. There were very few that I was not familiar with but have since added to my vocabulary. Each phrase includes the pronunciation, translation, usage and an example.

Thanks to the authors for giving Black language its flowers. I recommend Historically Black Phrases for all Bookhearts to laugh and learn.

Happy Early Pub Day, Jarrett Hill and Tre'vell Anderson! Historically Black Phrases will be available Tuesday, September 19.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

I loved this! I haven't heard some of the phrases since I was little so it was a nice walk down memory lane. Some of these made me laugh because I use them without even thinking about it. Highly recommend.

Historically Black Phrases is a beautifully put-together collection of phrases used by black people in the US. It combines meticulous research, humorous examples, and helpful definitions to deliver a truly unique reading experience. I really appreciated how the book can be read little-by-little or all in one go while staying engaging. I read it over the course of a few weeks, and used some of the examples for further research which was both interesting and informative.

I loved this celebration of black vernacular, especially with the increase of the appropriation of a lot of these phrases in the recent years. Historically Black Phrases is effortlessly inclusive, acknowledging the lived experience of LGBTQ+, light-skinned vs dark-skinned, and deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

This book would make a wonderful gift for any linguist, librarian, or someone who is in the process of learning English as a second language. I hope to see many more anthologies and non-fiction books celebrating black voices and the immeasurable value and beauty of black culture in North America.

A review of HISTORICALLY BLACK PHRASES by JARRETT HILL and TRE’VELL ANDERSON

published by CLARKSON POTTER / TEN SPEED PRESS (September 19, 2023)

A NetGalley ARC review: The publisher provided me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Final Rating: SS-tier / FIVE stars / Must-read

305 full-color pages

Suggested audience: YA+

Genre: non-fiction; black culture

Overview: A delightful dictionary packed full of humor while showcasing the history of phrases used widely today that have little-known black roots. The book is divided into 9 main chapters with focus on different domains of life, including chapters on “Cautions and Warning,” “Church,” and “Queer and Trans.” Interspersed are interviews with black celebrities and short essays on different perspectives in the black community.

Reflection: “Historically Black Phrases” is a landmark non-fiction work celebrating black culture and is an absolute must-read for everyone. I read this over approximately one week—chapter-by-chapter, enjoying it bite-by-flavorful-bite. I looked forward to reading a chapter at the end of a long workday. This book is beautiful in it’s presentation with bold headings and full color pages. It is ultra gift-able and I’m already thinking of several people to gift a copy when it publishes (including a gift for my personal bookshelf).


Constructive feedback: In my reviews I have a goal of identifying one area to provide constructive feedback, because everyone should be suspicious of glowing, all-positive reviews. For “Historically Black Phrases” I honestly struggle to come up with anything. It is not a perfect work, but it achieved what it set out to do near perfectly and I enjoyed every moment of reading the book. My sole constructive feedback is that I hope to see more from both authors in the future. Keep publishing monumental cultural works.

An introspective examination at common Black Phrases with context, humor (after all, it is dedicated to Boo Boo the Fool), and a lot of love toward the people and culture that birthed them. This is an easy read that offers background and celebration of our differences and the bond that language offers. It can be taken lightly or seriously as it has merit (at its heart).

A wonderful acknowledgement of Black people’s contribution to the lexicon and in a sense an acknowledgement of a different kind of “love” language.

A quick and delightful offering.

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review.

This book brought back nostalgia but also mixed in the now. It made me laugh! This is definitely a book I would buy physically & have on my living room table for decoration. It would be a great conversation starter!
Received an ARC courtesy of NetGalley.