Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US campus) an affectionate dimin. of homeboy n. (4)

1946		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 11 May 19: Aside to Joe Sewell of the Washingrton Tribune [...] ‘Holmes, gimme a credit like. Does you dig?’.
1946		D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 27 July 17: And Hohmes, the sidewalks here aren’t made so you have to [...] let Marse Cholly and his rednecked young ’uns strut by.
1975		E. Torres Carlito’s Way 20: Look here, Holmes, you got to dig y’self.
1984		Eble Campus Sl. Mar. 4: holm slice – black male, usually not derogatory: What’s up, Holm slice?
1992		Proper Dos ‘First Day of School’ 🎵 on Mexican Power [album] The security guard got my attention. / Ay holmes Didn’t catch me chale!
1998		Mayor’s Anti-Gang Office City of Houston, TX Street Gang Sl. / Gloss. 9 Nov.: holmes A person from a neighborhood. Homeboy, Homies.
2007		C. Goffard Snitch Jacket 70: Gotta get that coño, holmes.
2015		Chief Keef ‘Facts’ 🎵 ‘Aye holmes why you got a 9?’ / All that talk ain’t spraying nothing.