1980s

/NAR-lee/

Extreme; awesome

Origin: Surfer slang, mainstream early 80s

"That wave was gnarly!"

/TOO-byoo-luhr/

Excellent

Origin: Surfer term for inside of a wave

"Totally tubular, dude!"

/gag mee with uh spoon/

Expression of disgust

Origin: Valley Girl slang, 1982

"Pink and orange together? Gag me with a spoon."

/lyk TOH-tuhl-ee/

Emphasis filler

Origin: Valley Girl 1980s

"It was, like, totally awesome."

/RAD-i-kuhl/

Cool; excellent

Origin: Surfer/skater

"Radical kickflip, dude!"

/boh-DAY-shuhs/

Excellent; impressive

Origin: Southern US dialect, 80s mainstream via 'Bill & Ted'

"Bodacious party last night!"

/syk/

Just kidding!

Origin: 1980s American teen

"I bought you a pony — psyche!"

/YUP-ee/

Young urban professional

Origin: Acronym coined 1980

"The bar is full of yuppies in suspenders."

/WIK-id/

Very (intensifier); excellent

Origin: New England, mainstream 80s

"That movie was wicked good."

/KLASH/

A chaotic or disorganized mess, often used to describe social situations or spaces.

Origin: 1980s Southern California punk and surf culture derivative.

"The store was a complete clazsh today with the sale going on."

/CHAIR-ee/

Something that is in pristine condition or of very high quality.

Origin: 1950s hot rod culture that saw a major resurgence in 80s rockabilly and ska scenes.

"The vibe at that underground club was totally cherry."

/GROW-dee/

Disgusting, gross, or unpleasant to look at.

Origin: Valley Girl and surfer slang popularized in the early 1980s.

"He's such a grody poseur, I can't even stand it."

/FRESH/

Brand new, cool, or stylistically modern.

Origin: Emerging early 1980s Hip-Hop and B-Boy culture.

"Check out that deck; those new graphics are fresh."

/HERB/

A person who is uncool, dorky, or follows the rules too closely.

Origin: East Coast urban slang, later popularized by 1980s skate culture.

"He thinks he's cool, but he's just a total herb."

/BAWSS/

Excellent, superior, or in charge.

Origin: Revived from 1960s slang to describe New Wave and Mod fashion.

"That synth solo was totally boss."

/HAV ay KOW/

Do not get overly upset or freak out.

Origin: American colloquialism that became a staple of 80s teen television.

"Don't have a cow, I'll pay you back tomorrow."

/CHED-dur/

Money or currency.

Origin: Inner-city slang referring to government-issued cheese and welfare payments.

"See you later, I have to go earn some cheddar."

/CHOYS/

Of the best quality or highly desirable.

Origin: Teenage slang popularized by 1980s cult classic films like Ferris Bueller's Day Off.

"Look at that preppy's new ride; it's so choice."

/SPAZ/

Someone who is acting hyperactive or clumsy.

Origin: Shortened from 'spastic,' widely used in 80s schools despite its derogatory roots.

"Stop being such a spaz on the dance floor."

/KILL-ur/

Something that is impressive or amazing.

Origin: Early 80s heavy metal and surf culture.

"That Ferrari is definitely a killer ride."

/SKRA-ch/

Money, specifically cash.

Origin: Early 20th-century term that regained heavy usage in 80s city life.

"I spent all my scratch on those Depeche Mode tickets."

/HAY-nuss/

Truly terrible, gross, or appalling.

Origin: Valley Girl dialect used to describe social faux pas.

"The drummer for that band is totally heinous."

/BOOK it/

To leave a place very quickly or run away.

Origin: African American Vernacular English adopted by general 80s youth culture.

"Let's book it before the security guard sees us."

/BUMP-ing/

Music with a heavy, driving bass line or a party that is lively.

Origin: 1980s Hip-Hop and Miami Bass scenes.

"The music was bumping so loud the neighbors complained."

/MAYN skweez/

One's primary romantic partner or significant other.

Origin: Resurgence of 1940s jazz slang in the 1980s pop-rock scene.

"Is that your main squeeze standing by the punch bowl?"

/DEE-sent/

Good, alright, or socially acceptable.

Origin: Working-class teen slang from the mid-to-late 80s.

"You look totally decent in that leather jacket."

/TOHS-ted/

Extremely intoxicated or high.

Origin: 1980s stoner culture and campus slang.

"He got really toasted at the bonfire last night."

/FOR REEL/

An expression of disbelief or a question of sincerity.

Origin: Urban slang adopted by mainstream media in the early 80s.

"Is he for real? That outfit is ridiculous."

/DWEEB/

A socially awkward, studious, or uncool person.

Origin: 1980s college campus slang, likely a blend of 'dwarf' and 'feeb.'

"That movie was such a dweeb-fest."

/CHIL pil/

An instruction to calm down or relax.

Origin: 1980s schoolyard slang potentially referencing ADHD medications.

"Take a chill pill and stop worrying about the exam."

/BUST/

A failure, a disappointment, or an event that was broken up.

Origin: Police jargon adopted by 80s party-goers.

"The party was a total bust because the cops showed up."

/BET-ee/

An attractive female.

Origin: Skate and surf culture, referencing the character Betty Rubble or 40s pin-ups.

"That girl is a total Betty, we should talk to her."

/STOWKT/

Extremely excited or enthusiastic.

Origin: 1970s surf culture that peaked in mainstream 1980s slang.

"I'm so stoked for the concert this weekend."

/DITS/

A scatterbrained or shallow person.

Origin: Derived from 'dotty' and popularized in 80s sitcoms.

"Don't be a ditz and forget your keys again."

/KICKS/

Shoes, specifically sneakers.

Origin: 1980s New York City Hip-Hop culture.

"Check out those kicks; are those the new Jordans?"

/WAY-stoyd/

A lazy person or a stoner who wastes their life.

Origin: Popularized by the 1985 film The Breakfast Club.

"He's a major waistoid who just sits on the couch all day."

/DEK/

Cool, stylish, or impressive.

Origin: Late 80s skater slang, possibly from 'decking' out a skateboard.

"Your new haircut is totally deck."

/AIR-hed-ed/

A silly, mindless, or unintelligent person.

Origin: 1980s Valley Girl slang for someone 'with air in their head.'

"Did you see him airheadedly walk into that pole?"

/BUNK/

Something that is bad, fake, or of low quality.

Origin: Shortened from 'bunkum,' used heavily in 80s skate and drug culture.

"That band's new single is totally bunk."

/BAYL/

To leave suddenly or cancel plans at the last minute.

Origin: 1980s parachute and pilot jargon adopted by teens.

"I had to bail on the movie because I was too tired."

/THUH maks/

The ultimate or the best possible version of something.

Origin: Shortening of 'maximum,' common in mid-80s Valley speech.

"The new arcade is the max, you have to go."

/POH-zur/

Someone who pretends to be part of a subculture they don't understand.

Origin: 1980s punk and hardcore scenes.

"Stop being such a poser; you don't even like punk music."

/WUT-ev-ur/

An expression of dismissal or apathy.

Origin: Gained massive popularity via 1980s teen media as a defiant retort.

"Whatever, I don't care what you think."

/SKARF/

To eat something very quickly or greedily.

Origin: 1960s collegiate slang that became mainstream in the 1980s.

"Let's go to the mall and scarf some pizza."

/RAD/

Short for radical, used to describe something excellent or cool.

Origin: BMX and skate culture of the early 1980s.

"That neon windbreaker is totally rad."

/TRIP-ee/

Strange, weird, or resembling a drug-induced experience.

Origin: Late 60s residue that became common in 80s psychedelic-rock revivals.

"He’s acting so trippy lately, like he’s in another world."

/WURD/

An expression of agreement or affirmation.

Origin: Early 1980s Hip-Hop culture, short for 'word is bond.'

"Word, I'll meet you at the park at ten."

/luh-JIT/

Authentic, real, or genuinely talented.

Origin: Shortened from 'legitimate,' popularized by late 80s street culture.

"That guy is such a legit skater."