The Battle over Ballin'

By Joe Simonson - 10/08
NEIRAD enilno edition

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Ballin':

  1. To play basketball
  2. A person who lives large with lots of money and conspicuous success

It is often difficult to find a consistent and agreeable definition of the term “ballin’.” But in the halls of Darien High School it is not the definition but the ability to use the word that is drawing controversy.

To fully understand ‘ballin’, we must take a journey back to learn the genesis of this slang expression. Upon my research, the earliest appearance of this adjective was in the 1978 trucker movie “High Ballin” starring Peter Fonda. But unlike hip hop artist Jim Jones’ definition of the word, “High Ballin’” was not about flaunting wealth but rather a title of a cheap western flick where two skinny Caucasian men fight off bandits in Ontario.

This issue may seem trivial to the average Darienite reader, but this time the issue has gotten personal. On the popular social networking Web site Facebook, some students from Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk created a group called “Kids from Darien Can’t Say the Word Ballin.”

In fact, our own DHS junior Jocelyn Alfieri has even joined the group. However, Alfieri says she is not a linguistic Benedict Arnold turning against Blue Wave Pride.

“I think anybody can say ballin' it’s not a discriminatory word and it's said as more of a joke anyways,” Alfieri said.

But despite Alfieri's reassurances, I was still taken aback by this Facebook group taking hostage our cherished expression. How could our Norwalk neighbors censor this word? In my raging blackout, I sent several Facebook messages to the Ballin group’s creators. Although I gather they were not particularly thrilled to receive messages from a Darien High School student, since I have yet to hear a response.

After hours of translating the postings spewed all over the group walls, I came to the conclusion that they believe, to their expression, we are all “sKiNnY wHiTe BoYz”. Is this word limited to only certain ethnicities? Surely we can all have a good game of basketball. I know after my friend’s stick a 3-pointer in Coach Chases’ gym class, many terms are often said; “Kobe!”, “Buckets”, “Count it!” and amongst them are “Ballin’”.

Although technically ballin’ is not recognized as an actual word (it is not found in any modern dictionaries) it is used freely by clubbers and R&B artists alike. Not to be confused with the word “balling”, ballin’ can be easily defined as “doing well”. To clarify any discrepancies on what exactly is “ballin’” I’ve outlined basic correct usage of this controversial word:
“Gee, that shot was sure ballin’!” (After making a 3 pointer)
“Man, you were sure ballin’ last night at the club.”
And for those that want to take it one step further, -- throw in baller – a term that refers to someone who is financially successful (has mad bank) and has lots of friends, cool clothes and naturally a sweet ride.
“I can't wait to introduce you to everyone as the lil baller (considering i'm a baller up here... straight ballin', you know).”
"Reece is a BALLLERRRRR on the court."

To end this treatise on freedom of expression, when writing on Facebook walls, I encourage all of you to use such language freely. Call your friends “straight up ballers”, do not be intimidated by others. Although I hate to preach, this is freedom of speech 101. Besides, who can argue Darien isn’t a ballin’ place to be.

What do DHS students think about the word ballin'?