Definition of slay

The word "slay" originally came from the Old Norse word "slá" which meant "strike" or "hit." This word was then taken to Old English and Anglo-Saxon languages where it was spelled as "sláan" and sometimes "slǣhan." The meaning of this verb in these languages was still "strike" or "hit," but it started to take on connotations of violence and force, as in "slå eowera hondas mid pane" which meant "strike your hands with the pane." The usage of "slay" as a way to describe someone as looking good or being successful can be traced back to African-American vocabulary in the early 20th century. It was used in a literal sense, meaning "to kill" or "to defeat," but gradually, its connotation shifted to mean "to conquer" or "to dominate" in other areas, such as in fashion or lifestyle. In this context, it came to mean that someone was dressing so well or living so grandly that they seemed to be conquering the world, much like a warrior or a fighter would slay an enemy. This usage of "slay" has since spread throughout popular culture and has become a popular term in various contexts, from fashion to social media to music. Today, it is commonly used to describe anything from a particularly attractive outfit to a stellar musical performance or a stand-out Instagram post, all with the connotation of dominance, success, and style.