What Does Oldhead Mean?

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Learn more about this popular internet slang term
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You’ve probably seen some young person use the term “oldhead” online, like on TikTok or Twitter/X, but what does it mean? In short, it’s a slang AAVE (African American Vernacular English) term that refers to an older person, especially someone that’s a veteran in a scene like music or sports. We’ll tell you more about what it means, where it came from, how to use it, and related slang.

Meaning of Oldhead

“Oldhead” is a slang word that refers to an older person, particularly a leader or mentor. It’s also used to refer to someone who’s been in a certain scene for a long time. It’s an AAVE (African American Vernacular English) that’s recently become common online.

Section 1 of 5:

Oldhead Definition

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  1. Generally, the word refers to someone who’s older than you. How much older? It’s flexible, and up for interpretation. Usually, though, an oldhead is a mentor or leader figure, someone with experience to share. They’ve been around a while, and they know a thing or two. [1] Some people consider the term negative or derogatory, but it can also be used endearingly to pay respects to your elders.
    • Example: “Steve over there is an oldhead, he’s been working here since anyone can remember.”
    • Example: “She’s a neighborhood oldhead who’s lived here since before we had street signs.”
    • People sometimes say that someone has “an old head on young shoulders” to say that a young person has more experience or wisdom than their age would suggest.
  2. Often, “oldhead” is used to talk about people with more experience when it comes to certain interests, activities, or hobbies. Particularly, it’s used to talk about sports or music fans, especially hip hop enthusiasts, but can be used to talk about older fans of pretty much anything. Again, it can be either derogatory or endearing, depending on how it’s used. [2]
    • Example: “Mike’s a real rap oldhead. He put out some records himself when he was young.”
    • Example: “She’s always talking about how the game has changed over the years, like some sort of oldhead.”
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Section 2 of 5:

Is oldhead an insult?

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  1. Just like making any sort of comment on someone’s age can be a little risky, using “oldhead” can be tricky to do without insulting someone. If you’re expressing admiration for an older generation, then it’s usually okay. If you’re complaining about them, though, then it’s probably more of an insult.
    • Affectionate: “These oldheads are built different. They grew up doing things the hard way, so they’re tough.”
    • Insulting: “These oldheads always want to do things their way, even though their way is so outdated.
Section 3 of 5:

Oldhead Origin

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  1. Like many slang terms, “oldhead” comes from AAVE. [3] Specifically, it has its roots in cities like Philadelphia and Baltimore, both of which have their own distinct dialects and slang. [4] It’s hard to say when exactly the term was coined, but it’s been around for quite a while.
    • Now, the term has taken off on places like TikTok and Twitter/X, and is a popular way for younger people to describe their older peers.
    • In Baltimore, an oldhead is sometimes someone who no longer goes out to experience night life, usually due to their age.
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Section 4 of 5:

Using Oldhead

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  1. Whether you’re chatting about neighbors, musicians, coworkers, fans, or just friends, “oldhead” is a casual way to acknowledge someone’s seniority and recognize their experience. Just be sure you say it in a positive tone, so that people know you’re not just ragging on the elderly.
    • Example: “I learned from an oldhead that this place used to be a speakeasy before it was a concert venue.”
    • Example: “You should listen when an oldhead speaks. They’ve always got something interesting to say.”
  2. Oldhead can also be used to make a jab at someone, like an uncle who keeps telling long-winded stories about “back in the day.” Even then, it’s usually lighthearted teasing, but you might also hear it when someone is annoyed or wants to be insulting.
    • Example: “Oldheads are always like, ‘Back in my day we walked 20 miles uphill to school, both ways!’”
    • Example: “This isn’t the 1920s, oldhead. Get with the program.”
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Section 5 of 5:

Related AAVE Slang

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  1. OG is short for “original gangster." It’s an AAVE term used to say that someone or something is old-school or original. It’s also used to say that something is authentic, trustworthy, or high-quality.
    • Example: “I prefer the OG style. The new stuff just isn’t the same.”
    • Example: “Give him some respect. He’s an OG when it comes to the game.”
  2. “Unc” is short for uncle, and is an AAVE term used to talk about older members of the Black community, or people who give off “uncle energy” or have “unc status.” Influencer Aaron Makelky tells us it’s not really an insult, and is mostly used to poke fun at someone with an old soul, a dated sense of style, or who's out of touch and has old-timey opinions. It’s also used to call someone old or aging.
    • Example: “He’s an unc, so of course he watches cable news all day.”
    • Example: “You fell asleep during the Super Bowl after dinner. Real unc status stuff.”
  3. Short for “opposition,” this refers to anyone who might be your enemy or opponent. It’s an older term, but one that gained online popularity in 2010. [5]
    • Example: “I don’t have any opps. I’m cool with everyone.”
    • Example: “He wants me to fail because he’s my opp.”
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/si.2007.30.3.347
      2. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/unc-unc-status
      3. ↑ https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/si.2007.30.3.347
      4. ↑ https://www.inquirer.com/philly/living/20140219_Translating_Philly-ese.html
      5. ↑ https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/opp-opps

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