Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(orig. US) one’s lifestyle, attitudes, philosophy, mood or overall emotional state.

1902		Appeal (St Paul, MN) 12 Apr. 1/1: He told a hard luc k story about a sick horse [...] and he wanted to stay a few days until he found out ‘where he was at’.
1903		St Louis Republican (MO) 30 Aug. 52/4: You’re wabbly just now and don’t know where you’re at.
1909		H. Green Mr. Jackson 102: This puts me in a box [...] I dunno where I’m at.
1913		J. London Valley of the Moon (1914) 171: ‘Where are we at?’ she asked them [...] ‘We ain’t at,’ Bert snarled. ‘We’re gone.’.
1941		J.M. Cain Mildred Pierce (1985) 481: He told Mildred she was ‘smart’, and probably knew where she was coming out.
1949		N. Algren Man with the Golden Arm 316: How can I know where I’m at when I don’t know where he’s at?
a.1955		‘Good-Doing Wheeler’ in D. Wepman et al. Life (1976) 78: I’m sure you know where I’m at.
1968		L. Wolf Voices from the Love Generation 12: They’re interested in wines and cheeses and groovy food. That’s where they’re at.
1968		N. von Hoffman We are the People Our Parents Warned Us Against 39: That’s where my head was at.
1973		M. Agar Ripping and Running 145: Give him a bag? Brent, where are you coming from, man?
1975		E. Torres Carlito’s Way 138: Who does he think he is [...] Where his head at?
1976		A. Salkey Come Home, Malcolm Heartland 194: We want to know where you’re at.
1980		E. Folb Runnin’ Down Some Lines 4: Blood [black person] know where you comin’ from.
1999		Guardian G2 14 July 17: A window into the world of young people today and where they’re at.
2000		P. Beatty Tuff 143: It’s not where you’re from, it’s where you’re at.
2000		G.V. Higgins At End of Day (2001) 28: If that’s where they’re comin’ from, Nova Scotia’s where the crew’s gonna end up.
2012		W.D. Myers Cruisers: A Star is Born 20: I would like to get a free ride to college [...] That’s a different trip from where LaShonda is coming from.