The 1980s were a decade of cultural and social change in many countries worldwide.
This article will delve into the 80s slang words and phrases that made their way into everyday language and continue to be used today.
Few Popular Slang And Phrases From The 80s
In addition, the 1980s were a period of substantial societal and social change. Following are some of the top 80s slang words and phrases, have a look:
1. Awesome:
“Awesome” was used extensively in the 80s to describe anything great, impressive, or remarkable.
It was used to express admiration or excitement and was one of the decade’s most commonly used slang words.
In the 1980s, people used “awesome” to describe anything they thought was beautiful, fantastic, or notable.
This use persisted far into the 2010s. Even far into the 2010s, this use was still rather widespread.
It was one of the slang expressions used more often than any other throughout that ten-year period to indicate praise or excitement.
In addition, it was one of the terms used most often to convey feelings of appreciation and thankfulness.
2. Rad:
During the 1980s, “rad” was one of the slang phrases used by young people most of the time.
When you heard someone or something being referred to using this phrase, they were described as “cool” or “awesome.”
In that context, the term “radical” was often abbreviated to just “radical,” and it was also used as a form of the word “radical.”
One may, for instance, remark, “That movie was rad,” or “That skateboard trick was rad.”
3. Gnarly:
“Gnarly” was another 80s slang word and phrase that gained popularity in the 80s.
The phrase “gnarly” was one of the numerous slang terms that first appeared in the 1980s and continued to be widely used throughout that decade.
Its genesis may be traced back to the decade of the 1980s. The 1980s gave rise to many catchphrases, including this particular one.
This term was often used to refer to anything difficult to do or something that presented a challenge in some other way.
It might be referring to anything at all. This statement was often used to define extreme sports.
Sports, such as skateboarding and surfing, are examples of activities that belong under the umbrella term “extreme.”
In addition, this expression was frequently used to characterize extreme sports. One may say, “That wave was gnarly” or “That rollercoaster was gnarly.”
4. Totally Tubular:
In the 1980s, it was common practice to use the term “totally tubular” when referring to anything that may be considered outstanding, terrific, or exciting.
This phrase was a play on the words “totally amazing” and “totally tubular,” respectively.
This was because the phrase “totally tubular” was a portmanteau, meaning that it was created by combining the terms “totally” and “tubular.”
The curved form of a surfboard was the first factor that led to the adoption of the phrase “tubular” to define the shape of a surfboard, and it has stuck ever since.
After people recognized that it included trendy and hip characteristics, they began to connect it with everything that could fulfill their needs.
5. Bodacious:
“Bodacious” was a term used to describe something or someone bold, impressive, or remarkable.
These 80s slang words and phrases often describe a confident and self-assured person.
If deemed striking, uncommon, or bold, it was claimed that something or someone had “bodacious” characteristics.
Bodacious traits may be used in both singular and plural forms. This might be a reference to a person, or it could be an item.
People who radiated an aura of self-assurance and confidence in the 1980s were often described using words and phrases like these, which were popular at the time.
Many individuals often used this phrase as a slang word during the 1980s, which contributed to its rise to popularity throughout that decade.
6. Cowabunga:
“Cowabunga” was a catchphrase the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used in the 80s.
In the 1980s, when the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles used the phrase “Cowabunga” as their motto, they were responsible for making it a popular word in English.
Cowabunga has since been synonymous with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
It was often employed to imply excitement or passion, earning much favor among younger people, notably youngsters, and teenagers.
As an illustration of this take, for example, the phrase “Cowabunga, buddy!” as an example. Shall we catch some rays together and ride the waves?
7. Like, Totally:
“Like, totally” was a phrase used by teenage girls in the 80s. In the 1980s, it was common for teenage girls to use the phrase “like, totally” in their day-to-day conversation.
This was especially true in communication among friends. This statement was very popular among young women throughout their adolescent years.
It was a common courtesy to show agreement with what another person had said or to emphasize another person’s point.
Also, it was done in either of these ways by nodding one’s head. This is well shown by the exclamation, “That party was totally awesome!” which comes from the previous example.
8. Fer sure:
For a considerable time, indicating agreement or confidence by saying “fer sure” was a daily habit widespread across the country.
People often responded this way whenever they were questioned or offered constructive criticism. It was a usual response.
You may use the question, “Do you want to go to the mall?” to illustrate this point. “Fer sure!” This term is now often used to communicate agreement or enthusiasm.
It is a condensed form of the phrase “for sure,” which was originally a lengthier version but was once a longer version.
Without a doubt was among the most typical use of it. On the other hand, ever since that time, it has been streamlined into the form that it is in now.
9. No Way, Jose:
It was standard practice to express disbelief or disagreement by yelling, “No way, Jose,” which is a term that literally translates to “No way.”
This was done to convey that the speaker did not believe the statement. In other words, the phrase “no way” was used in the conversation.
In many instances, it was used to put an idea or hypothesis to rest. For example, the phrase, “Let’s skip class and go to the beach.”
“There is no way it could ever take place, Jose. I’m not getting in trouble.”
10. Bogus:
This word was another one of the 80s slang words and phrases. It was often used to describe something fake or not genuine.
It was a term that was commonly used in youth culture. It was often used to express disbelief or disappointment.
For example, if someone made a claim that sounded unbelievable or unlikely, they might respond with “That’s bogus!” to indicate that they didn’t believe it.
11. Crush:
In the 1980s, “crush” was commonly used as slang to describe a strong romantic interest or infatuation.
For example, a teenager might say they had a crush on a classmate or celebrity.
The term was often used in casual conversation. These 80s slang words and phrases could refer to short-term and long-term infatuations.
12. Dude:
This word was a popular term of address in the 1980s. This one was commonly used among young people to refer to a male friend or acquaintance.
It was often used as a greeting or expression of camaraderie, such as “Hey, dude!” or “What’s up, dude?”
The term has its roots in surfer culture but became popularized in mainstream youth culture in the 1980s.
13. Funky:
This word was used in the 1980s to describe something stylish, cool, or unconventional. It was a term that was commonly used in music or fashion.
It worked as an evolution in the language of music. It was particularly in the context of funk music, which was a popular genre in the 1970s and 1980s.
A person might describe a song or a fashion trend as “funky” to indicate that it was edgy, innovative, or non-traditional.
14. Grody:
The term “grody” describes something dirty, disgusting, or gross. It was often used to express disgust or disapproval, and it became a popular slang word in the 80s.
The adjective “grody” may refer to anything dirty, repulsive, or unpleasant, and it can be used to relate to any of these categories of things.
It is possible to use the word “grody” to refer to any of these categories of things.
During the 1980s, it was a typical method for individuals to express anger or disgust. During the same decade, the term became widespread as slang.
15. Take A Chill Pill:
“Take a chill pill” was a phrase to tell someone to relax or calm down. It was used when someone was overly excited or upset.
It became a popular slang phrase in the 80s. It was normal practice to advise a person to “take a chill pill” to advise them to relax or calm down.
This was done in the context of recommending that the individual “take a chill pill.” This was done in accordance with the standards of standard practice.
By the 1980s, the word had become commonplace among the slang community and was often used to describe someone excited or furious.
The decade of the 1970s was the peak of the phrase’s popularity.
16. Dweeb:
“Dweeb” was a term used to describe someone considered socially awkward or uncool. It was often used as an insult and was a popular slang word in the 80s.
These were so among teenagers and young adults, leaving a lasting impression on the English language.
As we look back on the 80s slang words and phrases, we are reminded of a time when the world was rapidly changing.
Then the people were finding new ways to express themselves.
17. What’s Your Damage:
“What’s your damage?” was a phrase used to ask someone why they were upset or what was wrong.
It was often used as confrontational or sarcastic and became a popular slang phrase in the 80s.
It was often used in the context of teenage angst and rebelliousness, reflecting the cultural trends of the decade.
What Else You Need To Know About The 80s Era
The 80s were a decade of cultural significance that brought a new wave of expression, creativity, and identity.
It was a time of pop culture and trends that influenced the way people spoke and communicated with each other.
The 80s slang words and phrases that originated from this era became popularized.
The language of the 80s reflects the youthful energy and excitement of the era. Moreover, it is a testament to the vibrant culture of the time.
These words and phrases have transcended the 80s and are used today. These 80s slang words and phrases keep reminding us of the era’s impact on our language culture.
From the radical “rad” to the enthusiastic “cowabunga,” these words and phrases have become iconic, and their legacy continues to live on in our vocabulary.
Moreover, the popularity of these 80s slang words and phrases serves as a reminder of the importance of language and how it can define an era. The 80s were a time of change.
The language that emerged during this period reflects the evolution of a generation. It highlights the power of words to bring people together and create a sense of community.
From the rise of hip-hop to the explosion of video games and pop culture icons, the 80s were a time when new words and phrases were being coined rapidly.
The 80s saw the birth of many new 80s slang words and phrases. These became popular and widespread among teenagers and young adults.
The 1980s was a decade of unique fashion, music, and culture, and it had its own set of 80s slang words and phrases.
What Makes 80s Slangs And Phrases So Popular?
During that era, the 80s slang words became commonplace in popular culture. It further contributed to their widespread adoption and subsequent widespread acceptance.
The 1980s were a decade that produced pop culture idols such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, and the Brat Pack.
These icons used and popularized these expressions in their music, movies, and television programs during this time period.
These expressions entered the common language. Adolescents and young adults adopted these as a mode of self-expression.
They were also used for establishing relationships with their contemporaries. These shifts were represented in the vocabulary that was prevalent during that time.
Many of the 80s slang words and phrases expressed a feeling of disobedience and nonconformity.
Both of the above were popular sentiments among young people of the time. For example, “fake it till you make it” was popular.
These expressions were used as a means of demonstrating individuality. Furthermore, they were used to deviate from the prevalent society at the time.
Last but not least, the feeling of sentimentality is another element that contributes to the enduring prevalence of 80s slang words and phrases.
As result of the fact that many people who came of age in the 1980s have pleasant recollections of using these phrases themselves.
Also, hearing them used by others, these expressions are still commonly used and referred to in modern times.
Parting Thoughts:
The 80s were a decade of fun and excitement. The 80s slang words and phrases used during that time reflect the youthful exuberance of the era.
These words and phrases have become iconic and continue to be used today. These remind us of a time when everything seemed possible and life was full of promise.
Whether you are a fan of the 80s or just love language, these 80s slang words and phrases will always have a special place in our hearts.
In conclusion, the slang words and phrases of the 80s continue to be a source of inspiration, nostalgia, and entertainment.
They have left a lasting impact on our language, and their popularity shows no sign of slowing down.
As we look back on this vibrant period of pop culture, we can appreciate the language. The slang that emerged during this time has an enduring legacy.
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