I do not know how, or where it originated. I do know, however, that when I was in college in the late 50's "Home Boy" or "Home Girl" referred to someone from your home town, North, South, East or West, just as "Roomie" referred to your roommate. I had many "Home Boys" and "Home Girls"...all of us from one of the New York City Boroughs. I was from the Bronx, and someone from Brooklyn may or may not have been my "hommie" depending on many factors, especially how they presented themselves!
