by malachi » Fri Nov 11, 2011 3:19 pm
I know you're like... what? 17 years old? So you probably don't know this bit of history.
"Word is Bond" is a phrase that originated in the tri-state area in the late 80s.
The Bible says not to swear and, "let your word be your bond."
This was used as a popular statement by NJ area members of the 5 Percent Nation first.
It was then adopted (in a shortened version as 'word is bond') by NY area rappers - and popularized by the Wu-Tang Clan.
It was common slang through the mid 90s.
"Word is Born" springs from a Run-DMC track of that name (released in 1990).
While some folks try to claim that it has its own unique meaning ("truth is said"), it's commonly accepted that it was a mistake by Run-DMC and that they misheard "Word is Bond" as "Word is Born." The chronology and geographic location support this.