Where it's at

Posted by Masakim on July 04, 2003

In Reply to: Where it's at posted by ESC on July 04, 2003

: : : where it's at

: : : what does this expression mean??

: : : thanx soo much in advance
: : : ciaoo
: : : Milena

: : Where the main action (of an activity) is taking place and, thus, metaphorically the supposed centre of almost anything - fashion, music etc. In itself the phrase is almost a fashion item and has only come into the English language within the last 50 years.

: It's under the "Hippie Counterculture of the 1960s" in "Flappers 2 Rappers: American Youth Slang" by Tom Dalzell (Merriam-Webster Inc., Springfield, Md., 1996):

: where it's at -- The core of what is important or what is happening.

where it's at Also, where the action is. The key center of activity; where important things are happening. For example, "He decided to set up his store here, convinced that this is where it's at" or "I'm going into the brokerage business; that's where the action is these days." The action or activity in this phrase can relate to just about anything -- financial, political, social, or commercial. [Slang; c. 1960]
From The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer
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... it is clear today that the early years of a child's life are critically important in the development of learning processes and capacity. "In many ways," he observed, "that's where the action is." _The New York Times_, December 24, 1967)
"Since you instinctively rap with those who are Now, you will always be more or less where it's at and should readily find your bag." (_The New Yorker_, October 25, 1969)

• Where it's at MILENA 07/09/03