Definition of the word hang around

The expression "hang around" originated in the mid-1900s as a slang term in the United States. Its origins can be traced back to the nautical term "hang onto," which sailors used to tell their shipmates to keep hold of something, such as a rope or cargo, to prevent it from falling overboard. Over time, the phrase "hang around" was adopted from the naval term to describe someone who spends a prolonged period of time in a particular location or with a particular group of people, usually without any specific purpose or reason. The term implies a sense of informality, casualness, and loitering, sometimes indicating someone who is not particularly engaged in any productive or meaningful activity. Overall, "hang around" has become a widely used and commonly understood slang expression in modern English, particularly in North American English dialects, and is still a part of colloquial American speech today. Its origins demonstrate how slang expressions can evolve and be repurposed for new meanings and connotations in popular culture and linguistic usage over time.