Are you looking for a way to compliment a woman? Take a chance, and call her 'phat.' This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
The expression 'phat' is a slang term with several meanings. However, the most popular use for 'phat' is as an acronym for ‘Pretty Hot And Tempting.’ You'll use phat when describing an attractive woman or when you're describing something cool or interesting.
Phat can describe music, movies, people, or actions. It's street slang, but it's rarely used today. The phrase fell out of favor in the hip-hop community around 2010, with many hip-hop heads using terms like 'dope' to replace 'phat' in their vernacular.
Example Usage
“No, I don’t mean you’re a fat girl. It’s phat with a ‘ph.’ It means I think you’re hot and we should hang.”
“That album is phat, man. I love the beats on it. Who’s the producer? We need to get that guy to master our album. He has some real talent for sure.”
“This movie is phat. I had no idea Keanu Reeves was such a good shot with a gun. I wonder how long he had to train to build his skill set for John Wick?”
“Man, your ride is so phat. I’ve been telling everyone that Mercedes-Benz makes the best cars, and this E55 is just off the charts.”
Origin
The expression ‘phat’ originates from Time Magazine. Many people assume it comes from hip-hop culture, but that’s not the case. The term appears in the August issue of Time in 1963, where it appears as follows.
“Negro argot,” with “mellow, phat, stone, and boss” all being “general adjectives of approval.”
Some language experts suggest the phrase was in use as early as the 1950s. However, the word dropped off the vernacular for nearly two decades before reappearing in the late 1980s due to a rebirth of the term in hip-hop culture.
Sometime in the 1990s, ‘phat’ would gain its acronymic meaning of ‘Pretty Hot and Tempting.’ In 1992, we saw hip-hop fashion brands like Baby Phat and Phat Farm rise to popularity in the hip-hop community.
Phrases Similar to Phat
- Hot .
- Good looking.
- Attractive.
- Appealing.
Phrases Opposite to Phat
- Uninteresting.
- Unattractive.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Phat.
- Pretty Hot and Tempting.
Ways People May Say Phat Incorrectly
The expression ‘phat’ doesn’t mean that the person is fat. It refers to them being attractive. While you can use ‘phat’ to describe many things, such as music and movies, the most common use is to describe a beautiful woman. However, many ‘woke’ women find the term derogatory and offensive.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Phat
You can use the expression ‘phat’ to describe something that’s ‘pretty hot and tempting.’ Typically, men will use the term to describe women they find attractive. The phrase usually applies to women, but it can also apply to attractive men. It’s common for people to use the term to describe movies, music, and any object they find appealing.
The phrase suits social use only, and you won’t use it at work. Phat is a relatively well-understood term but somewhat dated. Using it may paint you as a ‘boomer’ in the eyes of the Gen Z and late millennial generations. There are several alternate definitions of the term, but the most common is ‘pretty hot and tempting.’