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keep it real

English translation: be true to yourself and others

01:11 Apr 26, 2002
English language (monolingual) [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters / general
English term or phrase: keep it real
African-Americans use this phrase often. What does it mean?
shizuka
Canada
Local time: 22:09
Selected answer:be true to yourself and others
Explanation:
"Keeping it real" basically means being honest and straightforward with one's self as well as with friends, family etc. (especially in terms of cultural background). It means being principled and upright in every day dealings and relationships. Hope this helps!

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Note added at 2002-04-26 04:47:24 (GMT)
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I just want to emphasize that the phrase \"Keep it real\" is urban slang and as such does not merit a literal interpretation. Trust me, I am sure on this one -- I would bet money on it. :)
Selected response from:

Maria Nicholas (X)
Local time: 01:09
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +10be true to yourself and others
Maria Nicholas (X)
5 +2answer or act in a way that makes sense
Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
4 +3A thought
jerrie
4 +1Don't lie
Palko Agi


  

Answers


17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
answer or act in a way that makes sense


Explanation:
make sense; don't be ridiculous or outrageous; reasonable

Jane Lamb-Ruiz (X)
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
disagree  Maria Nicholas (X): Good guess, but it's not quite it. It's definitely slang. See below
1 min
agree  Indojin: I think ur explanation is right and not the one below
40 mins
agree  Maria Knorr: that's correct
2 hrs
agree  AhmedAMS
8 days
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17 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +10
be true to yourself and others


Explanation:
"Keeping it real" basically means being honest and straightforward with one's self as well as with friends, family etc. (especially in terms of cultural background). It means being principled and upright in every day dealings and relationships. Hope this helps!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 2002-04-26 04:47:24 (GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

I just want to emphasize that the phrase \"Keep it real\" is urban slang and as such does not merit a literal interpretation. Trust me, I am sure on this one -- I would bet money on it. :)


    Native American English speaker
Maria Nicholas (X)
Local time: 01:09
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in GreekGreek
Grading comment
Graded automatically based on peer agreement. KudoZ.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Patricia Myers: exactly
52 mins
  -> Thanks -- I'm very sure of this one!
agree  Tatiana Neroni (X)
2 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Margaret Lagoyianni
4 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Kaori Myatt
4 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  jerrie
6 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Сергей Лузан
7 hrs
  -> Thank you
agree  Terence Riley: Agree. Could you not additionally say it can mean, "tell it straight, without affectation"? Or without "superfluous color"?
10 hrs
  -> Thanks Terence -- it could mean that as well, although it has more to do with overall behavior in general. But yes, that could apply as well.
agree  John Kinory (X): Spot on.
11 hrs
  -> Thanks John
agree  Liv Bliss (X)
13 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  AhmedAMS
8 days
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

8 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +1
Don't lie


Explanation:


according to A prisoner's Dictionary
see: http://home.attbi.com/~prisonwall/words.htm#k

Palko Agi
Local time: 07:09
Native speaker of: Native in HungarianHungarian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Roberto Cavalcanti
9 hrs
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9 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +3
A thought


Explanation:
for a literal meaning I agree with Maria, especially re: true to culture.
I also think that 'keep it real' is used just as a 'filler', without too much meaning.
Along the lines of:
'tell it like it is'
'way to go'
'right on'
accompanied by high 5's etc
As already mentioned this is urban youth culture speak, so maybe too much meaning shouldn't be attached to it.


jerrie
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:09
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 19

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Liv Bliss (X): Good point. I've also seen it used (in sit coms and such) by superficial, "Hollywood-type" characters when parting (often accompanied by a pointing index finger and a wink), meaning nothing much: "OK. See ya. Take it easy. Keep it real."
4 hrs
  -> Exactly along the lines I was thinking. Thanks
agree  Trudy Peters
1 day 10 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  AhmedAMS
8 days
  -> Thanks
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