Date: Wed, 5 Nov 1997 10:03:08 -0500

From: Gregory {Greg} Downing downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]IS2.NYU.EDU

Subject: Re: "it's all good"



As with much slang that eventually enters mainstream usage, "It's all

good" originated in the African American community about four years ago....



By odd coincidence, actually, I just heard the phrase used in real life

(whatever that is...!) for the first time this morning, on the subway in

Manhattan, from a young male about 20 or so (who seemed primarily of Asian

not of African descent, though that says absolutely nothing about the

phrase's origin of course -- I did see the generalized citation stating AAVE

origin that was posted yesterday). Quite openly and at some length, he was

explaining to a young woman, with vivid examples, that he and his current

namorada bicker a lot etc. etc. etc., "but hey, it's all good," and then he

was off like a shot onto another topic.



Gregory {Greg} Downing, at greg.downing[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]nyu.edu or downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]is2.nyu.edu