08/16/2026
The "Double Dutch Bus" language is a playful, secret slang created by adding the "-izz" (or "iz") infix into syllables of ordinary words. Made famous by Frankie Smith in his 1981 funk hit, this "izzm-skizzm" style roots back to urban street and hustler culture as a coded way to communicate.How the "-Izz" Code WorksSyllable Splitting: Speakers break a word down and insert "iz" or "izz" into the middle or start of the sound.Example Translation: A word like "girl" becomes "gizzirl," and "house" turns into "hizzouse".Rhythmic Flow: In the song, it mimics the fast, back-and-forth bounce of the urban Double Dutch jump rope game.Cultural Roots and LegacyStreet Origins: Opinions on Reddit are mixed, but linguistic and cultural historians note that this style of "pimp speak" or playful lingo was used as an in-group, private code in Black urban neighborhoods.Hip-Hop Influence: The Wikipedia page notes the track laid foundations for hip-hop, and later artists like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, and Missy Elliott adopted similar "-izz" infixes in their raps.
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On Episode 131 of The Dissect ...
