Flashy, ostentatious jewelry or decorative items, especially those that sparkle or shine. The term emphasizes the visual impact of showy accessories.
Originated in hip-hop culture in the 1990s, possibly as onomatopoeia imitating the sound or visual effect of light hitting jewelry. The term was popularized by rapper B.G. and became mainstream through music and media.
Bling is a perfect example of onomatopoeia in modern slang - the word itself sounds like light bouncing off diamonds! It started as hip-hop slang but crossed into mainstream culture so completely that it's now in standard dictionaries.
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