black up
The term "black up" has historical and cultural connotations, with its usage varying significantly based on context.
Definition
C1Cultural Performance
(offensive, historical)To apply dark makeup to one's face, typically to impersonate black people, a practice now considered highly offensive.
Example
- Actors used to black up for minstrel shows, a practice that is now condemned.
C2Media and Arts
(informal, nuanced)To make a film, cast, storyline, or other creative work more representative of black culture or people.
Example
- The director decided to black up the cast to reflect the diversity of the community.
B2Slang
(informal, Jamaican Patois)To smoke marijuana.
Example
- They planned to black up after the party.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "black up":
blacked upwhite updark upbody in blackdarken upin the blackman in blackblack manget on upblack and whitebag upblack and bluebig upblack outblack artpink upone upback upwindow upcode blackcoal blackink upblack leadon the upcamo upbad upup forstick upbitch upin black and whitedope up