The English Language is an example of something that constantly changes.  As new jargon evolves, the intent of words sometimes encounters stormy criticism because it appears contradictory to the accustomed ear.  However, the frequent and widespread use of the new interpretations for words over a period of time eventually causes meanings to be accepted as part of standard language.  An example of such a change can be seen with the usage of the word ill, which has undergone a metamorphosis from its earliest known application.

         According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word ill can be traced to the early part of the Thirteenth Century, where it was used in an Old English text to describe a variation from questioning morality to being taken amiss. It primarily had a negative connotation and consisted of meanings, such as depraved, vicious, immoral, and blameworthy. For even though ill has been synonymous with the word evil, ill instead has been regularly viewed as a mere reduced form of evil.  By 1330, ill is shown describing evil intent or by malevolent, hostile and unfriendly characteristics.  The Oxford English Dictionary states that the examples "ill blood," "ill treatment," and "ill will" evoke the concept of negative images and further the development of evil and pejorative meanings.  These later phrases came about in the Fourteenth Century, and provided society with new prevailing usage of the word. The word ill also can be seen in describing the actions of an animal.  In 1480, Caxton's Chronicles explores a fierce and savage meaning by discussing a dragon. The adjectives stated are used to portray the instincts of an animal and continue to place the meaning of ill into a negative realm.    Ill is used to convey discomfort, painful experiences and disagreeable offensives as well.  In a private sense, ill brings forth the image of defective, unsatisfactory, or erroneous qualities.  An example of this particular meaning of ill can be acknowledged in the sentence, "I am ill at describing female apparel." This usage of ill maintains the notion of the speaker's inferior or faulty judgement.  William Shakespeare explores this concept in Hamlet when he states that, "I am ill at these Numbers: I have not Art to reckon my grones."  In this statement, William Shakespeare is describing Hamlet's inability to excel at the numbers discussed in the play.  This inflection of ill reflects the unsubstantial and lacking qualities of the word.

         The usage of ill has its importance in the discussion of one's physical or emotional health.  According to Webster's College Dictionary, ill is the more formal word, as opposed to sick.  In the United States, the two words are practically interchangeable except that sick is always used when the word modifies the noun: "He looks sick"(ill); or a sick person.  In England, sick is not interchangeable with ill but usually has the connotation of nauseous.  For example, "She got sick and threw up." Sick is used before the noun just as in the United States when describing a sick person.

         The word ill has a dual meaning in contemporary society.  For example, it is still used to indicate hostile or unfriendly actions, but within the last decade the meaning of ill has taken on a slang approach also.  Both uses are now commonly acceptable, though highly dissimilar. The new terminology of ill is commonly used by urban youth, or Hip Hop culture, in attempts to adapt to the changing pace of life and to bring forth a clever meaning to an over used word.  Hip-Hop culture has been loosely defined by inner city blacks as a subculture consisting of basically four elements. These four elements are breakdancing, Dee-jay-ing emceeing or rapping and graffiti art.  Rap music is an aspect of Hip-Hop culture and has adapted the slang word ill into its vocabulary.  According to Grolier's Encyclopedia, rap music can be defined as "spoken, rather than sung, lyrics and an emphasis of rhyming over melody."   With rap music, it is necessary for words to be fascinating, quick, witty and to grasp the attention of an audience.  This slang terminology of ill as adopted in rap music could possibly have come into context as a result of the entertaining, yet intense, block parties in New York City during the late 1970's.  These parties displayed rappers (emcees) reciting their rhymes in a boasting and bragging manner.  This is pure speculation of course, but a possible explanation for why ill was incorporated into their vocabulary might be simply the smooth sound of the word itself. When the rapper Nas is stating, "slammin' mc's on cement cause verbally I'm iller than an aids patient," he is saying that his lyrical abilities are quite capable and he means no disrespect to the terminally ill.   One must realize that with Rap terminology, there is no consistent meaning for every word.  For example, the terms phat, which rappers define as something that is widely accepted and excellent in quality, cool, hard, sick and tight are synonymous in meaning with ill.  Words can be interchanged with their meanings to the extent of what some would consider being total abandonment of the English language for the sheer purpose of making use of rhyme and fun.  As with street talk, the new meaning of ill manages to discard the original aspects of the word to a certain extent. Instead, it is used to describe an appreciation for a particular item or feeling.  For example, the statement, "That new CD was ill," refers to the speaker's admiration for the new compact disc. One can recognize that this portrayal of ill drastically differs from its conventional usage and serves as a double entendre.  It also implicates the concept of a subculture that exists within linguistics and urban life.  According to Webster's Dictionary, a subculture is a group possessing a social, economic, ethnic or other traits distinctive enough to distinguish it from others within the same society.  In order for one to totally understand the application of words, such as ill, in their current settings, the observer needs to have a knowledge and observance of body language, street life and rap lyrics.  For instance, if a bystander were to overhear a discussion about something being bad and never to have heard Run Dmc's lyrics about "not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good," then he, or she, would not have an inkling of the conversation.  The rappers Run Dmc are basically stating that the word bad now means something that is good in Hip-Hop culture.   However, there are still some references made by using the original meaning of ill in modern society. The commonly used Hip-Hop phrase, "Why are you illing on me?" describes the speaker's discontent with another individual and serves to bring back the old meaning of the word ill. It may be noted that the spelling of ill when used in this context, may prove to confuse a non-member of hip-hop culture or one who is not familiar with the elements of rapping, breakdancing, graffiti art and Dee-jay-ing, where this style of ill is commonly used.  Illing, itself may not be an acceptable word, but by using the root word ill, rappers have used their imaginations here and made up their own word.  Clearly, this usage of ill is confined strictly to the field of ebonics and urban street culture because it cannot be looked up in the Standard English dictionary.  To grasp the meaning of ill in modern society requires one to observe the mood in which it is used and the body language of the speaker.
 The word ill has evolved through time and has adapted its meanings according to the culture in which it was assimilated.  It may remain somewhat difficult for a novice in Hip-Hop culture to appreciate the contemporary meaning of the word ill.  It may often seem futile to approach these changes, but it must be recognized that these variations in slang are essential due to the ever-transforming nature of the English language.

         The growing interest in the Hip-Hop lifestyle and the element of rap music is now becoming widely accepted by all ethnic groups in contemporary society.  A culture that was once dominated by inner city blacks is now being shared with Hispanics, Asians and Caucasians.  The culture has become more mainstream than it used to be, primarily due to the media and the ever-transforming technological data that serves to alert society of the current events and changes taking place.  It is evident that Hip-Hop culture is everywhere today.  There are references and suggestions of this culture in movies, television and the media.  It is being advertised in magazines and styled in clothing.  The culture can be heard through the concepts of rap music and can be viewed through the eyes of the observer in the inner cities of America.  Now, it is possibly safe to say that this culture is highly marketable and universally accepted.

         The field of rap music and its adaptation of the word ill serve to entertain a younger audience.  While, the word ill is commonly used by youth culture and Hip-Hop movements an older age group may not use this word in their vocabulary.  However, they are surely able to recognize its importance and the new meaning among the youth in contemporary society.  As for this writer, the word ill serves to be humorous and engaging.  It is synonymous with the music of Hip-Hop culture and personally clarifies a razor sharp image of what is going on.

         Notwithstanding, the question remains whether or not the Hip-Hop form of ill should make its way into a Standard English dictionary.  Traditionally, those words that have been entered have passed the test of time- or, have proved to be durable and relatively common.  New meanings of established words are often ridiculed as being both unnecessary and/or ungrammatical. However, the repeated and widespread use of a new usage can hopefully cause it to become accepted as part of our customary language.  With regard to ill, the slang aspect of the word is not transient and has been around for nearly a decade, firmly entrenched into our musical existence. The culture of Hip-Hop lifestyle was created twenty years ago in the crime-infested blocks of New York City and has maintained a healthy, worldwide acceptance to the present date.  The slang term ill continues to grow, as the thought process of children of all races become editorially ingrained.  Whether they hear it on the streets or in their favorite rap beats, the result will be the same.  This Hip-Hop usage of ill continues to be both innovative and clever, leaving one to realize its importance to the field of rap and linguistics.  To this writer, it is evident that this form of ill should be added to the dictionary because it is used by contemporaries.  With this notion in mind, it is obvious that the new additional usage ill is on its way to passing the test of time.  I t must be noted that along with this inclusion, it is necessary to show how the word or meaning is used in sentences, who uses it, and what the attitude of the writer or speaker is toward the subject.