Phrase: Wap

Pronunciation: WUH-OPP

Wake up and Pray, a common New Orleans phrase. (Phrasing by: Tashai)

USAGE

Explanation: My phrase of ¨WAP: Wake up and Pray¨ is what it says, waking up and praying. However, the phrase ¨WAP¨ alone goes through so many modifications that it has so many more meanings. A few examples of these edits include  ¨Waffles and Pancakes,¨ ¨Wine and Pizza,¨  and it´s original meaning that is a bit too rated R for a school assignment.

Scene: Here is an example of how the phrase may be used in everyday life:

¨Gregory!¨ his mother called,  ¨Why are you still asleep?¨

A groggy groan escaped his mouth, ¨5 more minutes,¨ he begged.

¨That is unacceptable young man! It is time to wake up and pray!!!¨ She exclaimed, ¨I’m talking WAP WAP WAP!¨

¨It’s too early for this type of energy mom,¨ Gregory complained, ¨Besides, what’s the point?¨ He questioned.

His mother gasped in disbelief, ¨Gregory! We wake up and pray to say our thanks; for instance, you woke up alive and well didn’t you?¨

Gregory rolled his eyes in teen angst and slowly, but surely got to praying.

(and scene)

INFLUENCE

According to my research of each word’s etymology, the word ¨pray¨ originally meant ´to invite´ in the late 14th century. It makes me think of the meaning of the word today, Often used as a function word in introducing a question, request, or plea. When one prays, they sometimes pray for something to happen to them and have hopes of whatever they are praying to, to grant them with whatever they are praying for. When one does the action of inviting then they are allowing that thing or someone to do what they are inviting them to do. The two definitions play hand in hand.

FUN FACTS

This is so much a fun fact as a really really sad fact: the phrase ¨wake-up¨ meant to take a shot of heroine in the morning (in the 1960s). The drug usually stimulates a high that makes others feel energized and happy — say no to drugs, though. When someone wakes up, they gain a boost of energy similar to that of the high of heroin. One can see how the phrase relates to the drug.

The original definition of the phrase “WAP” premiered in the song WAP (^^ above) by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. The phrase WAP has gone through so many transitions, which gave the phrases different meanings. These different meanings came about due to social media and memes of the song.