street cred
Definition
Noun: * Credibility among young fashionable urban individuals: The quality of being accepted, respected, or considered authentic within a particular urban youth culture or subculture, often related to music, fashion, or lifestyle. It is based on perceived real-life experience, toughness, or adherence to the values of that group.
Usage
"Street cred" is an uncountable noun. It is an informal term, often used in discussions about pop culture, music (especially hip-hop, rap, and punk), fashion, and social status. It describes a form of social capital that is earned, not given.
Examples
- The rapper's stories about his early life in the city gave him instant street cred with his audience.
- She lost a lot of street cred when people found out she grew up in a wealthy suburb.
- Wearing that brand doesn't automatically give you street cred; you have to live the lifestyle.
- The documentary filmmaker needed street cred to be trusted by the community he was interviewing.
Advanced Usage
- "to have street cred": to possess credibility.
- The new designer has serious street cred because he used to be a graffiti artist.
- "to gain/earn street cred": to acquire credibility through actions or experience.
- He earned his street cred by spending years working with youth programs in the neighborhood.
- "to lose street cred": to have one's credibility diminished.
- The band lost a lot of street cred after they signed with a major commercial label.
- "street-cred" (as a modifier): used adjectivally before a noun.
- His street-cred credentials are unquestionable.
Variants and Related Words
- Credibility (n): The quality of being trusted and believed in. (More formal and general than "street cred").
- Authenticity (n): The quality of being genuine or real. (A broader concept that can contribute to street cred).
- Cool (n, adj): (Informal) Fashionable and impressive at a particular time. (Can overlap with, but is not synonymous with, street cred).
- Hipness (n): (Informal) The quality of being fashionable and aware of the latest trends.
Synonyms
- Cred
- Urban credibility
- Subcultural capital (academic/sociological term)
- Cool points (very informal)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To pay one's dues: To do the hard work or gain the necessary experience to earn respect. (This concept is closely related to earning street cred).
- She paid her dues performing in small clubs for years, which gave her the street cred she has today.
Noun
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credibility among young fashionable urban individuals
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