- Mic drop has been used in slang, especially in the hip hop and rap sectors, for quite a while to denote the act of dropping the microphone at the end of a performance as a sign of confidence or emphasis. More recently, it has been metaphorically extended to refer to any impressive performance. For instance, if one student made a perfect score on a chemistry test and broke the curve, this could be described as a mic drop, the metaphor equating the student to a confident rapper or singer and the test score to a singing performance. This broadened meaning is the more commonly used form. However, the word has not entirely undergone broadening because its original meaning is still in use – it is simply polysemous.
mic drop
noun in sense 1, formed by compounding and clipping. In sense 2, formed by metaphor from sense 1
1. the act of deliberately dropping one’s microphone at the conclusion of a speech or singing performance that one considers impressive or outstanding. 2. any impressive performance with a conclusive end, usually when the performer of the spectacle is very confident or impassioned.
Etymology : from a clipping of a compounding of microphone & drop. Microphone from Greek micro- meaning small + Greek -phone from phonein meaning to make sound. Drop from Old English.
Source : (2) “When you took out Theo and then smeared paint down your face? Such a mic drop moment!” (my advisor at Jones College in regards to Floor Olympics, 11/10/19)
Last modified: 11 December 2019