187

187 is a slang term that comes from Section 187 of the California Penal Code, which defines murder as a criminal act. Law enforcement initially used 187 to refer to homicide cases, but it eventually made its way into street slang, where it became shorthand for a murder or killing. For example, hip-hop and rap musicians popularized 187 when they used it to add grit or dramatic edge to song lyrics.

People don't always use 187 literally. Depending on the context, they may also use it metaphorically or playfully. For example, someone might jokingly say, "That math test was a total 187 on me!" to describe something brutal or overwhelming. However, remember when and who you use it with because of its serious origins.