What is the origin/history of "you do you" (or "do you")?

Question

A recent New York Times Magazine piece focused on the expression "you do you" (and its variant "do you"), meaning something like a strong affirmation to "be yourself."

The article associates the phrase with a narcissistic "millennial" culture, implying that it has become popular very recently.  Regarding its etymology, the author only asserts: "'Do you' certainly sallies forth from black vernacular, even if the nature of its mundane parts makes its origin Google-­proof," which sounds like an appropriate challenge for this forum.

Some comments on this article have posited that the phrase and usage is older, at least dating to the 1990s.  Any thoughts on etymology or history would be welcome.

Alex W · Accepted Answer

The full phrase this originated from is "do you and I'll do me". Another variation is "do you - cuz I'mma do me". The oldest reference to the phrase that I could find is from the song Do You by Funkmaster Flex (featuring DMX), from the album Volume IV, released on December 5, 2000.

This could be a variation of the phrase "do your thing", which has been in use for at least a century.

This could be a variation of the phrase "do your thing", which has been in use for at least a century.

Masha · Answer

Earliest quotable reference that I know first hand comes from a song by Giant Robot and Hosni from 2004, here is the quote: "let's just say I do me, you do you, the difference is I know just what to do" - a certain degree of irony that can be detected here indicates that the phrase must have existed for some time already prior to 2004.

Answered by Masha on May 29, 2021

user322867 · Answer

1818 Frankenstein ( Mary Shelly)
 Chapter 19 excerpt.

Do  you,’  said  I,  ‘enjoy  yourself,  and  let  this  be  our rendezvous.  I  may  be  absent  a  month  or  two;  but  do  not interfere  with  my  motions,  I  entreat  you;  leave  me  to  peace and  solitude.

That saying is at least 200 years old! Just stumbled on this post after listening to the read of this.

What is the origin/history of "you do you" (or "do you")?

3 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question