What does "死党" mean?

Question

My first impression to this word is something like "enemy" or "enemies", because the letter "死" is used and it means death.

But when I do some search, it means "sworn followers"?
I really doubt at it. Can anyone explain?

Answer 1

死 means 赴死 or 尽死力 ((worth) dying for / giving all one's strength).

党 means 朋党 (clique; cabal; faction).

死党 means "pursue private ends" at first,

[pursue private ends]∶ 为自己的朋党拼死竭力

案后将军朱博、 钜鹿太守 孙闳,故光禄大夫 陈咸( 王)立交通厚善,相与为腹心,有背心死党之信,欲相攀援,死而后已。——《汉书·瞿方进传》

And means "sworn followers; diehard followers" (with derogatory sence),

[sworn followers; diehard followers]∶效死的党羽

网罗死党

Nowadays it usually means "best friend".

比喻情誼深厚的朋友。

Reference: 文化漫谈：为什么好朋友又称为“死党”？有何典故由来？

Answer 2

It means best friends or very close friends. No bad meaning involved.

Answer 3

it means sb is your follower. also same with "老铁". u guys know each other very well.