Word of the Week: Ebonics edition

In honor of my husband's roots, I've decided to occasionally include some vernacular vocabulary.  This will be helpful for me next time we go visit my in-laws, or for any of you next time you vacation in lovely Detroit.

Here are some helpful ebonics Mommy words and phrases I was able to find:

don't be trippin' - Do not be anxious, don't worry
keepin' it real - keeping things in perspective to reality
shortiez - children
livin' it large - living a prosperous life
chicken head - ugly woman
pigeon - ugly woman
Crib/Krib - house
Check yo' self - Watch what you say or watch what you are doing.
You all up in my grill - You're in my face / You're in my space / You're too close to me, etc.
Eat cake / Be gone - Get lost
check dis yo- pay attention

Here is an example of how you could use this every day:

Check dis yo.  I wuz livin' it large yestaday, when I got to ma krib.  When I came in da do, da shortiez wuz all over.  I sez, "Check yo'self! You all up in my grill! Eat Cake!"  I wasn't a pigeon before da shortiez.  Just keepin' it real.  When dey be gone, I won't be no chicken head no mo.  So don't be trippin'.

****Editor's note:  Information provided by the African American Vernacular Society via my favorite dictionary website.