Edited by Azizi Powell
This post provides definitions of the African American English derived phrase "grittin on [someone]". This post also provides a definition of the word "grittin" as it is used in historically Black Greek leettered organizations.
Examples of the "grittin on someone" facial expression are found in three videos of historically Black Greek lettered fraternities.
The content of this post is presented for sociological and cultural purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
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DEFINITIONS
[Additions & corrections of these definitions are welcome.]
DEFINITION OF THE PHRASE "GRITTIN[G] ON [SOMEONE]
To stare at someone for a long period of time with a disdainful and/or mean, evil, or angry look on your face
The work "grittin[g]" comes from the word "grit", meaning "small, loose particles of stone or sand". Three synonyms from African American Vernacular English terms for "grittin[g] are "having a "dirty look [on your face]", "mean muggin[g]", and "ugly muggin[g]". However, a person grittin on someone doesn't have to look mean. That person may just stare disdainfully at another person, daring that person to look away. In any event, grittin on a person is an act of disrespect.
When a Black children grits on their parents or other adults, they are likely to be told that they better "fix their face" (or else.) "Fixing your face" means to take that disdainful and/or mean, evil, angry look off of your face.
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DEFINITION OF THE WORD "GRITTIN"
Grittin - a "hard", mean facial expression that persons in the process of joining historically Black Greek lettered organizations [BGLOs] (particularly fraternities) have which conveys their determination to perserve until they become full members of that organization
This same facial expression may also be worn by persons who are full members of a BGLO during step shows to show the seriousness of their commitment to that organization, and also to show how "hard" [in street terms] persona of members of that organization. For instance, when men associated with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. are "grittin", they are said to put on a dog face [Their signature call is a dog's bark]. And members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. may put on a cold[blooded] face not only to indicate the seriousness of their commitment to that organization, but perhaps also as a play on one of that fraternity's signature chants: "ice, ice, baby/ too cold/too cold/ice ice baby/ the black & gold".
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As used in historically Black Greek lettered fraternities, the facial expression of "grittin" isn't the same as "gritting one's teeth" since people don't show their teeth when they are grittin. Gritting one's teeth means to steel oneself to endure something that is difficult or uncomfortable. While "grittin[g] on someone" has a different meaning than "gritting one's teeth", the BGLO definition of "grittin" is quite similar to that later definition particularly in the case of old time pledges to historically Black Greek lettered fraternities.
Furthermore, I believe that the psychological meaning of the word "grit" -as in "showing true grit" is exactly what the word "grittin" means in the context of historically Black Greek lettered organizations. Here's an excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(personality_trait)
"Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait, based on an individual’s passion for a particular long-term goal or endstate coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective. This perseverance of effort promotes the overcoming of obstacles or challenges that lie within a gritty individual’s path to accomplishment and serves as a driving force in achievement realization. Commonly associated concepts within the field of psychology include "perseverance," "hardiness," "resilience,” “ambition,” “need for achievement” and conscientiousness."
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FEATURED VIDEOS
Disclaimer: These videos don't mean to imply that these Black Greek lettered organizations are the only ones in which associated with those organizations "grit".
These videos are presented in chronological order with the videos with the oldest date given first.
Example #1: Omega Psi Phi Que Doggs
mrchangeurlife, Uploaded on Jul 18, 2008
Gamma Sig Ques Settin' It Out 75th Conclave 2008
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Example #2: Omega Psi Phi Stepping on the Steve Harvey Show
KingUdobot,Uploaded on Mar 26, 2009
Here's a comment from that video's viewer comment thread:
"They KILLED it love this grit faces"
-lmanley11, 2009
-snip-
"Killed it" means to do something very well.
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Example #3: Alpha Phi Alpha On the campus of Clark Atlanta Univ -CAU
Teresa Dowell-Vest, Published on Apr 9, 2012
I was on the campus of Clark Atlanta University taking pics for the Harlem YMCA students visiting Spelman, Morehouse, and CAU and these guys broke OUT!
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UPDATE: August 3, 2013 - Video of females grittin
Spelman Freshman Step Team Alum Battle
LookOut504, Uploaded on Oct 11, 2008
The former freshman step team members of some of Morehouse and Spelmans finest teams have some fun. CAU was in attendance but we missed their performance
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsTdYfDKmNs that was posted in response to a number of comments critizing the faces made by the step team in the beginning of this video:
"- Ok , let's diminish the ignorance a little. The faces they are making are called "GRIT FACES". When stepping many organizations put on "GRIT FACES" to show how serious & how hard they go for their org. Lol it's a SOUTHERN thing. #DirtySouth
-Minelly Deme, 2013
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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/06/what-getting-up-in-someones-face-means_6.html
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Thanks to all those featured in these videos. Thanks to the producers of these videos & their publishers on YouTube.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
What "Grittin On Someone" Means (in African American Vernacular English)
Posted on 12:31 PM by Unknown
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