what’s the word?, phr. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

what’s the word? phr.

[assonance + ref. to Thunderbird, a sweet, fortified wine]

(US black) a greeting; usu. with the response Thunderbird! (also Johannesburg!).

1953		E. Hunter ‘Vicious Circle’ in Jungle Kids (1967) 31: ‘What’s the word, Turk,’ I asked.
1973		L. Bangs in Psychotic Reactions (1988) 134: I speak to them in the language that they understand: ‘What’s the word, Thunderbird?’.
1985		(con. 1969–70) D. Bodey F.N.G. (1988) 192: ‘Hey, dork, what’s the word?’ ‘Thunderbird.’.
1998		(con. 1986) G. Pelecanos Sweet Forever 40: ‘Hey Dimitri. What’s the word?’ ‘Johannesburg.’.