Partially fromass, and partially from a corruption or simplification ofassed.
-ass(originally African-American Vernacular, chiefly Canada,US, slang, vulgar)
- Used tointensify anadjective.
That's a big-ass wrench you've got there.
2006 October 1,Dennis Lehane, “Refugees” (00:32:06), inThe Wire, season 4, episode 4:Wilson: He's right. They endorse Royce, fine, 'the hell else they gonna do? But what they say and don't say from the pulpit the Sunday before the primary we stillgot a dog in that fight.
Carcetti: I do this right, they respect it.
Wilson: An' if they don't, at least they get to see a beggin’-ass white man on his knees.Always a feel-good moment for the folks.
2012,Joss Whedon,The Avengers, Marvel Studios:I recognize that the council has made a decision, but given that it's a stupid-ass decision, I've elected to ignore it.
2018, “Work It”, inWorking Class Woman, performed byMarie Davidson:You've got to work with me
Now, I don't wanna see any fake-ass workers
I need real builders
- Used toconvert anadjective into anoun for a person who has thattrait.
Don't be such a broke-ass—you can afford a fast-food run today!
- Resembling.
That's some Nixon-ass shit he's pulling.
What's that formal-ass language you're using? We're at a party!
