Signifyin(g)

Signifyin(g) is a African American cultural practice of using indirect or playful language—such as teasing, double entendre, or irony—to communicate, often to assert identity, humor, or social critique. It involves “talking around” a subject to create layered meanings, allowing for cleverness and subtlety in conversations or performances like storytelling or music. Signifyin(g) relies on shared cultural knowledge and context, making it a way to connect, express wit, or critique without overt confrontation. It’s a nuanced form of communication that emphasizes creativity and community bonding through indirect expression.