Definition of hit up

The expression "hit up" is a modern slang term that originated in African American vernacular English in the 1970s. It refers to the action of asking someone for something, typically with an implication of asking for favors repeatedly or persistently. The literal meaning of "hit up" comes from the meaning of "hit" in the context of drug use. Drug users would often ask each other for drugs, and "hit up" was used to indicate the act of asking for a fix. However, over time, the expression began to be used more broadly to refer to any request for assistance or guidance. The use of "hit up" became popular in hip-hop culture and has since spread more widely through popular culture, including in mainstream media and everyday speech. The term's popularity can be attributed to its versatility and ability to convey specific connotations regarding the persistence and possibly repetitive nature of the request being made. Today, "hit up" is widely employed in everyday speech and is considered a part of the modern vernacular, particularly in urban and hip-hop communities. It is commonly used in communication across a variety of platforms, including text messages, social media, and other forms of digital communication. The origin of "hit up" in African American vernacular English reflects the richness and dynamism of African American culture and its impact on American English.