The Brief: Ratchet usually means to be ghetto, poor, messy, or inelegant.

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DEEP DIVE

The term is typically used to describe African American women and is usually used as an insult. Some black women, including Beyoncé have made efforts to reclaim the term.

Ratchet is the opposite of bougie. It is used in many rap and R&B songs including ones by Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Cardi B.

Mix my cup and twist one up, I love that ratchet s**t –Travis Scott, “5% TINT”