Why do people use the phrase "hate on" instead of just saying "hate?"?

Evolution of language, regional differences, cultural…the list goes on. Take your pick.

Because in that instance “hate” is being used as a noun.

A sassy noun.

Yo, don’t be hatin’.

Also, it makes me think of “crushing on” which I had never heard of prior to 2008.

I’ve never that phrase used.

Hate is still a verb.

But in this case, I think it’s kind of highlighting
how the act of hating kind of dumps on someone.

It becomes more of a statement of action,
than a statement of sentiment?

“Hating on” means talking shit about someone or something, while hating can be done silently.
According to UrbanDictionary, it can be a noun to. A “hate on”.

@Nimis – I think “hate” in the way jca means in the second part of the question is a verb usage.

@aprilsimnel I think hate in the way jca means
in the first and second part of the question is considered a verb.

I sit.
I sit on a chair.

I stand.
I stand on the floor.

Oh, wait I see what you’re saying. Right. “Hate on” can be used as a noun or a verb. You can get your ____ on or you can ____ on.

This is why I don’t use (much) slang!

The difference between hating someone and hating on someone is the action – you can hate someone, but not act upon it, but hating on someone means you actively do something about it.
At least, that’s how I interpret it.

I read it the same way as shadling21. I regard “hate” as a verb expressing a feeling and “hate on” as a slang expression for behavior rather than for the presence of an inner state. It’s a phrasal verb analogous to “beat on,” and it wouldn’t surprise me if its origin were by substitution for the verb in an existing expression such as “beat on,” “beat up on,” and “shit on.”

Quit bein a Hater. its just a slang term that will one day be forgotten. like the budwiser commercials, What up. or WHaaaaazzzzz uuupppp. instead of What’s up?.

Maybe it’s another variation of the phrase “game on” used in Wayne’s World?

Ex:
** Steve: Ya know, I’m starting to like Mark.
** Mark: Screw you Steve!
** Steve: Hate on!

===========-=

Maybe it’s “hate on” like in an Ebonics style.

Ex:
** “Oh, I’m ‘bouts to be gettin’ my hate on up in dis bitch.”

===========-=

Or maybe, just maybe, I’m completely lost since I’ve never actually heard anyone use the phrase “hate on” by itself.

/shrug

I see ‘hate on’ to either indicate action reflecting hate or imminent hatin’ action.
Why is Fluther hatin’ on my teeth yo?! I got nothin’ in there.