Text:

“Dude on rock?”

“Rock on dude.”

Context:

The informant, TG, is originally from San Jose and grew up rock climbing at summer camp as a teenager. He explained that rock climbers must go through a safety procedure before they begin climbing. After all of the gear is properly equipped, the climber has a verbal exchange with person belaying them (this person controls the rope slack and tension to ensure the climber does not fall) that typically goes like this:

Climber: “On belay?”

Belayer: “Belay on.”

Climber: “Climbing.”

Belayer: “Climb on.”

[Climber begins climbing.]

TG said that this exchange is important because it signals that both people are ready and actively engaged to ensure proper safety. “Dude on rock?” / “Rock on dude” is a playful variation of this, and would take place immediately after “On belay?” / “Belay on.”

Analysis:

Rock climbing is an activity that comes with the inherent risk of serious injury. TG suggested that fun riffs on these safety procedures help the climbers to feel more casual and relaxed. The phrase is also a play on words, with rock’s double meanings as a solid mineral and as a music genre. Furthermore, TG grew up in close proximity to San Francisco, which was notable for its psychedelic rock and hippie culture during the 1960’s and 1970’s — hence the influence of the phrase “Rock on!”