Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. knowledge.

1995

L. Stavsky et al. A2Z 20/2: I picked up this cipher from reading all of Malcolm X’s work.

2. a circle of black friends.

1999		Ja Rule ‘Nigguz Theme’ 🎵 on Venni Vetti Vecci [album] 🎵 Spare yourself the reality of an ass whippin’ / What I’m givin’ when I be gettin’ tight and start flippin’ / On your bitch ass niggas that like formin’ a cipher.
2001		Cormega ‘Fallen Soldiers’ 🎵 on Realness [album] 🎵 Had to see my nigga Yammy dead, but he can rest with honor [...] Life is sweet and kinda deep when it ends / Still remember you, beefin over bullshit calls at basketball games cheatin / Yo, my cipher ain’t complete.