This is what the term 'simp' means - and why the original meaning is different

Boosie used the word 'simp' to describe Jordan, when asked about his relationship with model Lori Harvey (Picture: Getty Images)Boosie used the word 'simp' to describe Jordan, when asked about his relationship with model Lori Harvey (Picture: Getty Images)
Boosie used the word 'simp' to describe Jordan, when asked about his relationship with model Lori Harvey (Picture: Getty Images)

In a new interview with VladTV, US rapper Boosie Badazz described actor and movie producer Michael B. Jordan as a ‘simp’, while discussing his new relationship with model Lori Harvey.

The interview has caused many to question what the context of the insult was, as the old meaning of ‘Simp’ didn’t make sense.

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The word began trending on TikTok in 2020, with the meaning having evolved to be somewhat of a derogatory term for a man who buys a woman’s affection.

So, what does it mean and why was it used to describe Jordan? This is what we know.

What does ‘simp’ mean?

The word ‘Simp’ was first coined in 1985, after US rapper Too Short used it in his 1985 hit ‘Pimpology”. The word at that time was to describe someone who is a stupid.

It has resurfaced in recent times and is now usually used to mean a man who is overly sympathetic to his girlfriend, or “the opposite of the pimp,” according to Too Short.

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The word was also used in the 2000 novel “My Once Upon a Time” by English writer Diran Adebayo.

He said ‘simp’ was used with its old-school meaning of simpleton, “Not the other way it’s been used as a very soft kind of man, who is very soft to his female friends.”

Adebayo is an author and lecturer at Kingston University, London and described the word’s new meaning as “backlash or irritation, or even confusion, around quite what you’re supposed to be as a man in terms of furthering your appeal to women.”

Too Short explained that the new meaning “really degrades the person who you’re aiming it at.”

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It has connotations of a man who buys lavish gifts for a woman in return for sex and affection - according to the New York Times.

The word has risen to new found fame on the platform TikTok, with young men referring to those who spoil their partners as ‘simps’ and the phrase ‘Simp Nation’ has also been adopted to describe the rise in men spending large sums of money to ‘buy’ a girl’s affection.

Many women have now added to the TikTok conversation, referring to their own men as ‘simps’ and slamming the toxic description of men who do nice things for their partners, and instead arguing men should be allowed to treat women with special attention and affection.

What did Boosie say about Jordan?

The conversation started with YouTuber Vlad referring to Harvey’s ‘body count’ - implying the number of men she had dated - before listing several men she had been associated with, including Akon’s brother, Bu.

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Boosie responded: “I think we need to stop giving the woman the power with situations like this. Girls keep saying it’s ‘goals.

“We gotta start giving the bachelors, the men, who [are] running through women like this, the credit.

“Last time I went to Diddy’s house, [Jordan] and Bu were together, they dawgs, we gotta start giving them the credit instead of Lori.”

Vlad then described Harvey as “a very pretty girl” but not “at the top of my list,” before Boosie added that the music industry had put her on the radar.

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Boosie continued: “A lot of rappers want her because a lot of big dogs want her on their wish list.”

“You gotta give the bachelors credit. People act like they fallin’, but nobody’s stuck [with Harvey].

“You only gonna [get] stuck cause once you've been ran through like that, you’re only gonna catch a simp, you ain’t gonna catch no street.”

Harvey and Jordan confirmed their relationship on Instagram, Jordan posted a photo of the pair embracing one another in early January and Harvey shared a collage of polaroid pictures of the pair on Valentine’s Day.

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Black Panther actor Jordan has not commented on the seemingly derogatory name-calling by Boosie.

Who is Lori Harvey?

Harvey is the stepdaughter of comedian and Family Feud host Steve Harvey, who adopted her and her two siblings after marrying their mother in 2007.

She has walked the runway for Dolce and Gabbana, as well as making money through brand endorsements on Instagram, where she has over 2M followers.

Before becoming a model, she competed in Equestrian events and has spoken of her childhood dream of competing in the Olympics. However she broke her back in an accident which caused her to retire from the sport.

Harvey, 24, has reportedly dated Puff Daddy ‘Diddy’ and his son, King Combs.

In 2017, she was engaged to soccer player Memphis Depay but the relationship came to an end before the couple married.