If you are scrolling on Beyonce’s Internet I can almost assure you’ll come across a ton of new, trendy buzz words that are almost impossible not to adopt. If there is anything I love about us Black folks it’s our ability to create slang words and drag them to death until it becomes a powerful proclamation or affirmation. Our ability as a people to take something so “unserious” and make history with it is impeccable. Y’all know a new phrase is a hit when it can be used for any and everything. We first hear it, evaluate it, tone it, and, if it works, we then stand up and pledge allegiance to it. If the phrase is powerful enough it becomes a part of Black Webster and is indoctrinated in our daily Black language. If the phrase supersedes the hype it then becomes passed down from generation to generation.

For example the word, “Period,” which I know y’all remember derived from our Black mama’s who used to say “Point Blank Period” with their whole chest. Honey, not if but when a point was made you just knew the conclusion of whatever was being said would be, “Point Blank Period!” Generation Z may think The City Girls put on “Period” because they were the first to put it on wax, but if you grew up in a household where games were not to be played, you are wise enough to know “Point Blank Period” was a daily reminder of “I said what I said and there is nothing left to be said.”

Now see, my mother was very Extra growing up. She would always put a lil razzle dazzle with a swirl on any saying to make it her own unnecessarily. So, while most mothers were saying “Point Blank Period,” my black momma was saying “Point Blank Period, End of Story.” Now, why you gotta tell your kids end of story when you already ended what you were saying with the period? I have no idea, but what I do know is that “Period” was such a powerful phrase that it will forever be a part of our language. I even find myself saying “Period” and I make sure the syllables are hit hard when I do.

Do not mistake catchphrases and affirmations that will get your whole life together. Some phrases may start out as a trend on social media and other phrases are so powerful that over time you have to live and die by it. For instance “Standing on Business.” I know you have heard and witnessed everybody and their grandmother’s using this one, and I can tell you right now, this one is going down in Black Webster forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if “Standing on Business” will end up being more powerful than Period and here’s why:

“Standing on Business” is all about accountability. When you say it, it affirms that not only did you mean what you said, you are going to follow through with what you said. We have every right right to hold people accountable for what they say, and this phrase enforces just that.

While the phrase “Period” shuts people up, “Standing on Business” shuts people down. The phrase communicates it is now time for consequences for not being aligned with the principles, requirements, or expectations one has set.

What is so crazy is you can use “Standing on Business” for anything and everything. It keeps yourself in check so that you literally do what you set out to do. The authority and power this phrase holds is insane. It speaks to our resilience, faith, and standards as a people.

That man who is playing with your emotions? OK no problem, “Stand on Business.” If an establishment has terrible customer service? We can easily fix that: “Stand on Business” and call corporate. At this point, “Standing on Business” is revolutionary. I think that, over time, we have become lazy with our ideologies, but “Standing on Business” challenges us. Goodbye to all the excuses that we have adopted over the years that have been hindering ourselves and others. If you are about what you said you are about, you will indeed be “Standing on Business” for the rest of life. I love how something so small as a trendy phrase can turn into Gospel for us as a people and I hope you understand how potent words truly are.

What are some new phrases you all enjoy and why?