ratchet
Unruly, dramatic, or low-class in a deliberately provocative or boisterous way; it can also be reclaimed as bold or exciting.
By Cal Hewitt, Gen X · Researched from public sources · ·
What it actually means
Ratchet has been used as a derogatory label, especially targeting Black women, for behavior viewed as uncouth or overly dramatic. Some speakers have reclaimed it to celebrate confidence, defiance, and high-energy fun. Its meaning and impact depend heavily on who uses it and how.
See the quick definition in the ratchet dictionary entry.
Where it came from
Ratchet is associated with Louisiana and African American English, possibly as a regional pronunciation of wretched, though Merriam-Webster says the precise origin is unclear. Louisiana rap used the word by the 1990s, and hip-hop stars helped take it mainstream around 2012.
No single person is credited, the origin is disputed.
Where it's popular
Louisiana hip-hop, Black American popular culture, reality television, and social media.
It has a history of racialized and gendered insult.
How it caught on
- 1990sLouisiana rap recorded early uses of ratchet.
- 2004Lil Boosie and Anthony Mandigo recorded Do the Ratchet.
- 2012Hip-hop stars and celebrities helped mainstream the word.
How to use it
“The party got ratchet after midnight.”
Describing boisterous, high-energy chaos.
“Do not use ratchet to shame women for being loud.”
Recognizing the term's harmful history.
Common mix-ups
Ratchet is not simply a synonym for bad. It has a specific Black cultural history and can be insulting, reclaimed, or celebratory.
Do you actually know it?
Ratchet context check
0/31. Ratchet can mean:
2. Ratchet is strongly associated with:
3. Why use ratchet carefully?
Related slang
Questions people ask
What does ratchet mean?
It can mean unruly or dramatic, and sometimes bold or exciting in reclaimed use.
Where did ratchet come from?
It is associated with Louisiana and African American English; its precise etymology is disputed.
Is ratchet offensive?
It can be, especially when used to stereotype or shame Black women.
The word shifted from local Louisiana rap slang to a mainstream pop-culture label in little more than a decade.
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