- This is a clipping of the phrase "proper respect." Proper respect is way too long and formal for casual conversation or even shorthand informal writing. So people began to shorten it and referred to it as props instead. It is very rare today to hear the full phrase "proper respect." In fact, most people think props is its very own word with no relation to another phrase. Usually used among friends and younger individuals in casual settings.
props 1
noun clipping
recognition; admiration for another person or for something that person did
Etymology : First referred as "proper respect" and then clipped to props.
Source : "I got to give you props man." (Rice student in library 2011)
Last modified: 2 December 2011