English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Probably a shortened form of Spanish feria (fair; street market; (slang) money), itself from Latin fēriae (holy day; vacation; any occasion of rest), thus making the term a doublet of fair.[1] Alternatively, a clipping of confetti,[2] persumably in an allusion to "making it rain". The fact that usage of fetti appears to be centred around California,[1] where feria (money) is also commonly used, makes a derivation from Spanish more plausible.

Noun edit

fetti (uncountable)

  1. (African-American Vernacular, slang) Money.
    Synonyms: scrilla, moola, gwolla, gwop; see also Thesaurus:money
    • 1992 May 7, “Let's Get Drunk” (2:25 from the start), in Down and Dirty[1], performed by The Click:
      I can't get enough of that fetti for real / And now I'm hopin' that she's on the pill
    • 2009, Al-Saadiq Banks, Back 2 Bizness: The Return of the Mayor, Newark, N.J.: True 2 Life Publications, →ISBN, page 140:
      "Nah, I doubt it," Smoke replies. "He ain't gone budge." ¶ "Anybody budge for that fetti. Especially at a time like this." ¶ "I'm telling you," Smoke replies. "The nigga ain't beat for paper like that. He rich already. He just doing me a favor."
    • 2015 August 3, “Facts” (2:42 from the start), in Bang 3[2], performed by Chief Keef:
      I know I don't speak English bitch, all I speak is fetti / I ain't never lackin' bitch all I be is ready
    • 2019, Denisha Bates, Captured by a Flint Boss: A Hood Love Story, Shan Presents, →ISBN, page 138:
      She fumbled with her hands nervously because her loyalty is to her brother so basically it was her life or his. She knew about my lifestyle and how we didn't play in these streets, especially about that fetty.
    • 2021, Khufu, Killa Kounty: The City of No Pity, Stockbridge, G.A.: Lock Down Publications, →ISBN, page 230:
      "Good, you can put them lil niggaz across da street on. Listen, I'on play 'bout my fetti." ¶ "Spare me dat, Baby G, I already know how you livin'. I got 'chu, baby."

References edit

  1. 1.0 1.1 fetti”, in The Right Rhymes, launched 2013.
  2. ^ Jonathon Green (2024) “fetti n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang