nae nae

English

Etymology

Named after character Sheneneh Jenkins, a sassy "ghetto girl" in the 1990s sitcom Martin. The Atlanta hip-hop group We Are Toonz is credited for inventing the term with their hit song Drop That NaeNae (2013).

Noun

nae nae

1. A hip-hop dance based on planting one's feet, swaying with shoulder movement, and placing one hand in the air and one hand down.
   • 2016, Nathan Louis Jackson, “Suckas Need Bodyguards” (25:20 from the start), in Luke Cage, season 1, episode 6, spoken by Miriam Sharpe (Alfre Woodard):

     “I told you I did not want a fluff piece!” “Not fluff, fun! There's a difference. Remember when Obama sang Al Green?” “You wanna watch me whip and nae nae, Thembi?”