What does "CAN I GET A WITNESS!!" mean?

Question

The other day someone said thank you god for all this alchol(being fecitious), and this other guy was like can i get a witness!?! was it bad context or can you make something out of that and what does it mean?!

Answer 1

A phrase used when the user is accomplishing some rediculous feat, or is doing something like a boss.

*Serves four aces in a row*

- "Oh, can I get a witness?!"



*Come in first at a cross-country meet*

- "Can I get a witness, I mean seriously?!"



The phrase ?Can I get a witness? which probably has its origin in the African American Christian church. Nannie Helen Burroughs, who lived from 1879 to 1961, was an historical figure in Black American Culture. In this excerpt from the cultural study entitled ?A CULTURAL CASE ANALYSIS OF THE WORKS OF NANNIE HELEN BURROUGHS? the author describes a customary service that dates back to 19th Century church tradition:



Witnessing, within the Black religious tradition, indicated a fulfillment of an expectation of God-intervention in everyday life (Ross, 1989). In addition to anticipation of divine presence in everyday living, witnessing also involves an affirmation of understanding among Black women, as a collective group, that God had and would work in the lives of church women. On a community level in religious services, church members may take time to give a testimony of how God has moved in their lives. Then, after telling their story, the speaker engages the audience by stating, ?Can I get a witness?



Within this context, the speaker is asking if anyone has experienced the move of divine intervention similar to her own experiences. In turn, members within the audience express affirmation through hand clapping and shout of "Amen!"



http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=705808

Answer 2

Can I Get A Witness

Answer 3

"Can I get a witness?" Basically means can I get some back up, or is anybody seeing what I happen to be seeing. You could always yell back "Amen, brother/sister (depending on the gender)?"

Answer 4

It's taken from common pentacostal/fundamentalist Church jargon.

A witness is a person who testifies about what is being said. In context, it almost almost means that he wants somebody to shout agreement. It is a satirical parody of church, where they usually seek a witness on the evils of alcohol. In this case, in a drinking subculture, he is looking for somebody to confirm the goodness of booze.

Answer 5

I would say that it comes from the law. If you're in an auto accident or are assaulted, you ask people who saw the incident to consent to be witnesses on your behalf and you ask for their contact information so that you or your attorney can later ask them for a statement or court testimony.



The earlier answers are right about the humorous intent in this case: he wants to make a point that he heard the statement and can back the claim up with witnesses if needed.

Answer 6

Basically means who agrees with me or who is willing to support me.



it also is a great song by Marvin Gaye. Rolling Stones, too. See links

Answer 7

Well i think he was trying to say "did somebody hear that?" so that the person who made the alcohol comment wouldn't be able to deny it later.

Answer 8

it means can i get someone who agrees

its like a "CAN I GET AN AMEN??"



like can i get others who agree with me

Answer 9

Can I Get A WITNESS

Some one who actually saw it

Can I Get Someone who actually saw it!

Answer 10

Look up what witness means

Answer 11

usually means, like, whos got my back~ or someone to help prove youre right. so yeah, he could have been out of context... and facetious is spelled wrong.

Answer 12

finding someone to that has information about a specific event.

Answer 13

it is ebonics (black talk) for "who's with me guys?"

Answer 14

does any one understand,or do u hear me.somthin like that