Call me old fashioned or old school, but it’s not too often I end up questioning the newest, freshest word in the English vocabulary. That being said, I’m scratching my head at the new school version of a very old popular word. Back in the day (around January 2009), we used to throw this term around, Backstabber. Now the cool new version is a word I have a slight problem with. You’ve heard about it right? The term ‘Friendamy’? What in the blue Hades is that? (smile)

According to the Urban Dictionary, Friendamy means:

A person who you treat and whom treats you as a friend but if they are given a chance would "cut your throat" or get one over on you/put themselves first if it would benifit themselves, or they would gain an advantage over you. Similar to an enemy.

Hmm, okay. But doesn’t it sound a bit like a person described by the O’Jays in this manner back in 1972?

(They smile in your face)
All the time they want to take your place
The back stabbers (back stabbers)

Since smiling is a sign the back stabber is up to no good, what does the group Undisputed Truth has to say about a person like this? (a year before the O’Jays’s song, 1971)

“Smiling faces sometimes...they don't tell the truth...smiling faces sometimes tell lies”

And hmm, how does the Urban Dictionary define a backstabber?

Backstabber- Some one that you have grown to be really close friends with, but then they go and go behind your back and betray you.

Sounds like a Friendamy doesn’t it?

Look, I’m not trying to ruin anyone from using new versions of tried and true words of the past. My point is, wouldn’t be easier to call someone who may have your best interests at heart but who turns on you a back stabber instead? I think a person who betrays your trust would fit that description rather than a Friendamy. Think about it, if that person puts up a phony front to gain your trust then does a complete 360 on you when you least expect it, isn’t really your friend to begin with, right?

Who knows how long Friendamy will remain in the public consciousness or if Backstabber will remain in the dictionary. One thing’s for sure, this new generation of the 21st Century certain has some interesting words, don’t they? I’m still waiting to see what is the term for ‘sandwich’ next so I can go to Subway and drop science on the employees there. Oh snap; no one has used ‘drop science’ in twenty years. See what I mean about terms coming and going in our culture?

Besides, I can’t see the music group War sing “Why can’t we be friendamies?” anytime soon.

As a side note, I hope the Urban slang is truly from the hood and not some made up jambalaya of words from guys and gals who live in the suburbs. Sorry for saying this, but this old guy has been there and saw that in the 1990’s with the ‘Hip Hop Dictionary’.

Anyway, I’m not being a hater; I’m a complainer (big smile)

Backstabber or Friendamy? You decide!

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