| etymology:"[Origin unknown; prob. (at least in sense b) a respelling of FAT a.: cf. the similar use of big, large, etc., as terms of approbation. The explanations of the term as an acronym given in quots. 1974 and 2000 seem likely to be later rationalizations.]"
quotes:"1963 Time 2 Aug. 14 Negro argot... Mellow, phat, stone, boss. General adjectives of approval. 1974 H. L. FOSTER Ribbin', Jivin', & Playin' Dozens ii. 52 This teacher, however, was a 'phat tip'..[....]. 1992 Face Dec. 68 They're just really distinctivea London crew with a really phat funk sound. 1995 Guardian 8 May II. 8/4 The Criminal Justice Act put the rave under House arrest. But it's out and it's phat in Oxfordshire. 1998 Newsday (Electronic ed.) 17 Mar., Phat? With a fearless, exciting, aggressive playing style, El-Amin fits the recent youth-culture term that suggests, loosely translated: cool. 2000 Herald (Glasgow) (Electronic ed.) 18 Nov., Every Giants player emerges from the dug-out to his own personal anthem. For coach Dusty Baker there's James Brown and Dr Dre. Cool or what?.. For..Barry Bonds it's Song 2 by Blur. Phat! (Pretty Hot and Tempting.)" |
