Pronunciation: [ɡɛt ʃˈɔːti] (IPA) 
The title "Get Shorty" is a play on words, using the idiom "getting short with someone" to describe an angry or impatient attitude. The word "get" is pronounced /ɡet/ in IPA phonetic transcription with a hard "g" sound, and "shorty" is pronounced /ˈʃɔrti/ with a "sh" sound and a long "o" sound. The spelling of "shorty" is a common slang term for a young or small person, sometimes used as a term of endearment.
Get Shorty is a colloquial phrase that originated from the United States and has various interpretations depending on its context. Its primary definition refers to an idiomatic expression that means to intimidate or threaten someone through the use of force or physical harm. The phrase suggests that the person being threatened or intimidated will be faced with immediate and severe consequences if they do not comply with the demands or requests of the person asserting their power. It implies an element of aggression and dominance in asserting control over the other party, often within a criminal or illicit context.
Additionally, "Get Shorty" can also reference the title of a popular novel written by Elmore Leonard in 1990, which was later adapted into a successful film in 1995 with the same name. It tells the story of a mobster who decides to pursue a career in Hollywood, encountering various comedic and dramatic situations. In this sense, "Get Shorty" can refer to the novel or film itself, which revolves around the character's experiences in the world of organized crime and the movie industry.
Overall, "Get Shorty" encompasses the idea of asserting dominance and control through intimidation or threat, while also having a connection to the novel and film of the same name.
The phrase "get shorty" has its origins in the title of a novel by American author Elmore Leonard, published in 1990. The novel, "Get Shorty", revolves around a Miami loan shark named Chili Palmer who becomes involved in the movie industry. Due to its success, the book was adapted into a popular film, also titled "Get Shorty", in 1995. The phrase "get shorty" caught on and began to be used more broadly to refer to someone acquiring or dealing with a dangerous or intimidating individual, often in a business context. The etymology of the phrase, therefore, stems from the popularity and cultural impact of Leonard's novel and subsequent film adaptation.
