The Files G33Z3R Slang Files
Gag Me With a Spoon
The slang of the '70s, '80s and '90s — what it meant, where it came from, and whether you actually said it.
Rad. Gnarly. Psych. As if. Every one of these was in the air at your school, and you either said it out loud or rolled your eyes at the kids who did. Each file has the record — what it meant, where it came from, when it peaked, whether it survived — and one question: did you say it, unironically, in public? Then tell us who you said it to.
The files
Valley & surf · 6
Valley & surf · 1978–1990
Where did "gnarly" come from?
Means: Extreme — either terrible or great, depending on the wave
Valley & surf · 1981–1988
What did "tubular" mean?
Means: Excellent
Valley & surf · 1982–1986
What did "grody to the max" mean?
Means: Disgusting; to the max meant extremely
Valley & surf · 1982–1986
Where did "gag me with a spoon" come from?
Means: That's disgusting
Valley & surf · 1982–1999
When did "totally" become slang?
Means: Completely; also just yes
Valley & surf · 1982–1999
When did people start saying "like" every other word?
Means: Nothing; a pause, a hedge, or a quotative ("I was like…")
Approval & awesome · 6
Approval & awesome · 1980–1992
What did "rad" mean in the '80s?
Means: Excellent; short for radical
Approval & awesome · 1984–1992
What did "bodacious" mean?
Means: Impressive, bold, or, about a person, attractive
Approval & awesome · 1980–1999
Why do people from Boston say "wicked"?
Means: Very (wicked good, wicked cold); also excellent on its own
Approval & awesome · 1987–1993
Where did "cowabunga" come from?
Means: An exclamation of joy, usually before a jump
Approval & awesome · 1989–1993
Where did the Bill & Ted "excellent" come from?
Means: Great, said with the guitar riff
Approval & awesome · 1975–1990
When did "bad" mean good?
Means: Excellent, tough, impressive
Dismissals & burns · 7
Dismissals & burns · 1982–1994
What did "bogus" mean in the '80s?
Means: Fake, unfair, or just bad
Dismissals & burns · 1982–1994
What did "psych" mean?
Means: Just kidding — said after tricking someone
Dismissals & burns · 1991–1994
Where did "…not!" come from?
Means: The opposite of what I just said
Dismissals & burns · 1984–1995
Where did "take a chill pill" come from?
Means: Calm down
Dismissals & burns · 1995–1999
Where did "as if" come from?
Means: Absolutely not; in your dreams
Dismissals & burns · 1992–1999
When did "whatever" become a dismissal?
Means: I don't care, and I'm done talking about it
Dismissals & burns · 1996–1999
Where did "talk to the hand" come from?
Means: I'm not listening; usually with a palm up
People & types · 5
People & types · 1978–1999
When did "dude" become the word for everyone?
Means: Any person; also an exclamation of surprise, sympathy or disapproval depending on the tone
People & types · 1982–1994
What was a dweeb?
Means: A nerd, but softer; a hopelessly uncool person
People & types · 1980–1992
What was an airhead?
Means: An empty-headed person, usually said of a girl, usually unfairly
People & types · 1985–1999
Where did "wannabe" come from?
Means: Someone imitating a scene they're not part of
People & types · 1989–1996
What did "homeslice" mean?
Means: Friend; a variation on homeboy
'90s & hip-hop · 8
'90s & hip-hop · 1995–1999
What did "da bomb" mean?
Means: The best
'90s & hip-hop · 1993–1999
What did "phat" mean?
Means: Excellent, cool; about a beat, heavy and good
'90s & hip-hop · 1993–1999
Where did "booyah" come from?
Means: An exclamation of triumph
'90s & hip-hop · 1988–1999
What did "word" mean as slang?
Means: I agree; that's true. Word up: hello, or listen
'90s & hip-hop · 1984–1992
What did "fresh" mean in the '80s?
Means: New, stylish, excellent
'90s & hip-hop · 1988–1999
What did "fly" mean in the '90s?
Means: Stylish, attractive, sharp
'90s & hip-hop · 1994–1999
Where did "all that and a bag of chips" come from?
Means: Excellent; the bag of chips is a bonus on top
'90s & hip-hop · 1985–1999
When did "yo" become a greeting?
Means: Hello; hey; also attention
Questions
- What are the Slang Files?
- A directory of the slang of the '70s, '80s and '90s — each word with what it meant, where it came from, when it peaked and whether it survived, plus a did-you-say-it vote and a Memory Wall for who you said it to.
- Where did '80s slang come from?
- Mostly California: surf culture gave the '70s and early '80s their words (rad, gnarly, tubular), the San Fernando Valley gave the mall its accent (gag me, grody, totally), and hip-hop and the movies (Wayne's World, Clueless) supplied the '90s. Every file names the source where it's documented.
- Where do the definitions come from?
- They're written by us in plain English; each file links the word's Wiktionary page as the reference. Movie and TV origins are cited only where documented.
- Can I add my own memory?
- Yes. Every file has a Memory Wall. No account needed — tell us who you said it to, who said it to you, or the teacher who banned it.
▸ more to explore