1y ago

What does it mean to "get low" or "drop it down"?

Please forgive me...I'm over 30 and was never a clubber.

In a number of songs, women "get low". In "Low":

Shawty got low low low low low low low low

In "Belly Dancer", they drop down and touch the ground;

Hey, ladies drop it down, just want to see you touch the ground
...
You ain't even gotta drop down if you want to

What activity is being described here? What are these women doing?

38 comments

I think it just means to literally lower your hips while dancing. Ie dance such that it shows off your ass, in a position suggestive of intercourse.
- lordosis
  Edit: I have no idea why the responses below have been taken over by pedants lacking in reading comprehension. Lordosis is the name for the behavior, the reflex, the posture, all the things. We're taking about presenting the vagina for copulation here. That is what the songs are talking about. It's not literal mating, but it's sexually exciting. These behaviors are deeply embedded in the primitive levels of our brain. It's even hypothesized that this is why we have butts at all.
  The part/whole phenomenon is called synecdoche and is extremely common in all forms of communication.
  
  New word to me, thank you. And apparently, in animals which display that behavior, it is reflexive, not a voluntary action. But a point of interest from your article:
  Lordosis behavior is non-functional in humans, although lordosis-like positions can be observed in those being mounted from behind.
  So therefore, while twerking mimics lordosis, it's really just dancing, albeit rather sexually.
  
  I mean it very loosely approximates lordosis as defined in the article you linked. But it isn't in fact lordosis, which makes the resulting reply chain pretty awful.
  
  Yes this is partially true but when you get low you usually also spread your legs, which has the secondary effect of flashing whatever you happen to be wearing (or otherwise). It's very difficult to dance and get low keeping the knees together.
  So my point is, that there is more than just lordosis
  
  You realize that lordosis is a neurological reflex, not a sexual position, right? The position lordosis causes in animals may resemble similar positions in humans, but they are not the same thing.

This is just the cutest question ever, you made my day.

I'm fifty but I came from Southern Louisiana where the ladies were twerking ages ago...for sure back in 1991.
Getting low refers to squatting low while twerking. If you do not know what twerking is, you can Google plenty of videos including "how to" instructional videos. We are living in the future!
- Hah, I do know what twerking is, but I never associated it with this phrase. A follow-up: are you actually touching the ground? What body part is touching the ground?
  
  Yes, they touch the ground. Proper twerking requires a big butt and proper attire. According to some women I knew back then, there's a science to it. Even the underwear selection came into play according to them. The flesh of the ass needs to have travel above and beyond what the hips are doing. So, for lack of better imagery, some VERY skilled women could squat real low and basically dribble their butt cheeks on the ground. I've only seen one person do that live in front of me and everyone was losing their shit. It was incredible. She could make one cheek hit the floor then the other. Left right left right...like dribbling two basketball really fast.
  EDIT: I guess I should clarify that the bounce gave the illusion that the cheeks were touching the ground, so as far as I'm concerned they were. From my angle they definitely looked like they were bouncing but they could have been a couple of inches from the ground. I didn't physically check as I was not an idiot with a death wish.

Pop a squat, stick your ass out, and shake it

I believe they are referring to what is colloquially known as "dat ass". Also known as "twerking".

i think a little ol school technotronic makes it slightly more obvious;
Get your booty on the floor, tonight
Make my day
- That one I always assumed meant to just get your ass out on the dance floor. Not any specific form of dancing
  
  ahh, yep, i see that now

squatting type dances

Get down and boogie.

I used to ask what "Drop it Like Its Hot" meant, but then I thought about it.

@rice purity test The phrases "get low" and "drop it down" in the context of the lyrics you mentioned typically refer to a dance move where individuals, in this case, women, lower their bodies, often bending at the hips and knees, to bring themselves closer to the ground. It's a common dance move seen in various club and hip-hop dance scenes.

I believe it simply means literally lowering your hips while dancing. I dance in a position that suggests intercourse, where your ass shows off. retro bowl

🎶 dip, baby, dip, c'mon c'mon, dip, baby, dip 🎵

38 comments