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."

/TOH-tal-ee TOOB-yoo-ler/

Exceptionally excellent; wonderfully impressive

Origin: Valley girl and surfer slang combining tubular from surfing with Valley intensifier

"Oh my god, the new Duran Duran video is totally tubular, I taped it twice."

/GAG mee with uh SPOON/

An exclamation of extreme disgust or contempt

Origin: Valley girl slang popularized by Frank Zappa song Valley Girl 1982

"He asked me to the dance in front of everyone. Gag me with a spoon."

/RAD-ih-kul/

Excellent, impressive, or thrillingly good

Origin: Surfer and skater slang, widely absorbed into 1980s youth mainstream

"Dude that kickflip was radical, do it again so I can film it."

/RAD/

Short form of radical; cool, impressive, or excellent

Origin: Abbreviated from radical, surfer and skater culture, peak use c.1983-1989

"That new BMX track they built is seriously rad."

/LYK WAT-ev-er/

An expression of dismissal, indifference, or bored contempt

Origin: Valley girl speech pattern documented and popularized in early 1980s

"He said I had to be home by ten. Like, whatever, I am sixteen."

/GROH-dee tuh thuh MAKS/

Utterly disgusting; repulsive to the greatest possible degree

Origin: Valley girl slang, grody from grotesque, max as intensifier c.1982-1985

"There is mold on this pizza. Grody to the max, throw the whole thing out."

/PREP-ee/

Relating to the clean-cut, wealthy, East Coast collegiate style

Origin: From preparatory school culture, popularized by The Official Preppy Handbook 1980

"He showed up in a polo shirt and khakis looking preppy as ever."

/YUP-ee/

A young urban professional focused on status and financial success

Origin: Acronym Young Urban Professional, coined in print c.1980, peak use 1984-1988

"Every yuppie in the office has a BMW and a briefcase that costs more than my rent."

/POW-er LUNCH/

A business meal used to negotiate deals and display status

Origin: Wall Street and yuppie culture term, coined in New York Magazine c.1979-1980

"He closed three accounts over a power lunch at the Four Seasons last Tuesday."

/GREED iz GOOD/

The philosophy that self-interest and ambition drive success

Origin: Popularized by Gordon Gekko in Wall Street 1987, became generational motto

"Greed is good, and if you do not believe that you will never make partner."

/BEE-em-DUB-ul-yoo/

Status symbol shorthand for financial success and yuppie lifestyle

Origin: Used as cultural shorthand in 1980s yuppie discourse beyond the car brand

"He leased a BMW the same day he got promoted. Classic."

/FRESH/

Excellent, stylishly impressive, or brand new in the best way

Origin: Hip-hop slang from New York City, peak mainstream crossover c.1984-1989

"Those shell toes with the fat laces are fresh, where did you get them?"

/DEF/

Excellent, definitely cool, or of the highest quality

Origin: Hip-hop slang from New York, possibly from death as ultimate intensifier

"That break he just did was def, the whole crowd went crazy."

/FLY/

Stylish, attractive, and confidently well-dressed

Origin: African American vernacular, prominent in early hip-hop culture c.1982-1989

"She walked in looking fly in that leather jacket and everybody stopped talking."

/IL/

Exceptionally skilled or impressive; excellent in an unexpected way

Origin: Hip-hop slang inversion of negative to positive, New York City c.1984

"That DJ is ill, I have never heard anyone scratch like that before."

/WERD/

Truth, agreement, or affirmation; that is the honest fact

Origin: Hip-hop and African American vernacular, widely used from mid-1980s onward

"You got cut from the lineup after all those rehearsals? Word, that is messed up."

/BYT/

To steal someones style, rhymes, or creative ideas without credit

Origin: Hip-hop culture ethics term, MC battle culture New York City c.1982-1986

"Everybody can hear that he bites his whole style from Run DMC."

/BEE BOY/

A male practitioner of breakdancing; a devotee of hip-hop culture

Origin: Hip-hop coinage from the Bronx, b possibly for Bronx or beat, c.1977-1982

"The b-boys cleared the center of the gym and the cypher started immediately."

/BRAYK-dans/

To perform acrobatic street dance moves central to hip-hop culture

Origin: Term for athletic floor dancing from New York hip-hop scene, mainstream c.1983

"He could breakdance better than anyone at school and everyone knew it."

/WAK/

Of poor quality; lame, uncool, or not up to standard

Origin: Hip-hop slang, New York City, widespread use from early to mid-1980s

"That verse was wack, go home and write something real before you come back."

/PROPS/

Respect, recognition, or credit given for an achievement

Origin: Hip-hop slang possibly from proper respect or theatrical stage properties

"Mad props to the DJ who kept the party going through the blackout."

/MAD/

Very, extremely; an intensifier expressing great degree

Origin: New York City slang, hip-hop and street culture, peak mainstream use 1986-1990s

"There were mad people outside the record store waiting for that release."

/DOHP/

Excellent, of the highest quality, impressively good

Origin: Hip-hop slang inversion, New York City, peak mainstream crossover c.1985-1989

"That album is dope from the first track to the last, not one skip."

/HARD-kor/

Uncompromising, intense, and refusing any mainstream dilution

Origin: Punk and hip-hop subculture descriptor, widespread usage by mid-1980s

"That crew does not play shows for money, they are strictly hardcore."

/boh-DAY-shus/

Impressively bold, beautiful, or outstandingly remarkable

Origin: American dialectal blend of bold and audacious, resurgence via 1980s pop culture

"She rolled up in a convertible looking bodacious and everyone stopped talking."

/BOH-gus/

Fake, unacceptable, or frustratingly wrong

Origin: Old American slang for counterfeit, revived in youth culture by early 1980s

"They canceled the concert an hour before doors? That is completely bogus."

/EK-suh-lent/

An enthusiastic exclamation of approval, often drawn out for effect

Origin: Popularized as ironic Valley-adjacent exclamation in teen culture c.1983-1989

"Bill and Ted energy radiating here - Excellent! We shall rock this arena!"

/HAY-nus/

Shockingly awful; outrageously bad or offensive

Origin: Formal English word repurposed as teen hyperbole, peak use in 1980s youth slang

"The most heinous thing about detention is they took away my Walkman."

/MON-doh/

Very large, extreme, or intensely of a given quality

Origin: From Italian mondo world used as intensifier, absorbed into California slang c.1981

"That wave was mondo, I have never seen anything that big at this beach."

/SPAZ/

A clumsy, hyperactive, or socially awkward person

Origin: From spastic, used as derogatory slang in American youth culture through the 1980s

"He knocked over the entire science fair table. What a complete spaz."

/BURN/

A sharp insult that lands perfectly; the act of delivering one

Origin: American youth slang for a successfully delivered verbal humiliation, c.1980s

"He called your outfit a thrift store explosion. Burn! What are you gonna say?"

/GET uh KLOO/

To become aware of something obvious that one has been ignoring

Origin: American idiom sharpened into dismissive teen slang through the 1980s

"She still thinks he likes her back. Somebody needs to help her get a clue."

/AIR-hed/

A person perceived as empty-headed, superficial, and inattentive

Origin: American slang, associated with Valley girl culture and widely used in 1980s

"She forgot the meeting, the presentation, and the client name. Total airhead."

/GAG/

To find something revolting; an expression of disgust

Origin: Valley girl speech, abbreviated form of gag me with a spoon, c.1982-1987

"His cologne is so strong I literally gag every time he walks past my desk."

/HAIR MET-ul/

A flashy, guitar-driven rock style defined by big hair and tight spandex

Origin: Critical and fan descriptor for Sunset Strip glam rock bands of mid-1980s

"The whole Sunset Strip is nothing but hair metal bands and fog machines."

/SHRED/

To play guitar with exceptional speed and technical skill

Origin: Rock and metal guitarist slang, mainstream use in music press c.1983-1989

"That guitarist can absolutely shred, I have never heard fingers move that fast."

/HED-bang/

To rhythmically throw ones head forward and back to heavy metal music

Origin: Heavy metal concert culture term, documented in use from late 1970s onward

"The whole front row started to headbang the second the drums kicked in."

/kow-ah-BUN-gah/

An exclamation of excited joy or enthusiasm

Origin: Chief Thunderthud on Howdy Doody 1954, revived by surfing and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

"Cowabunga! They gave us front row tickets and backstage access!"

/TAWK tuh thuh HAND/

A dismissal gesture indicating complete refusal to listen

Origin: African American vernacular and urban youth slang, rising use in late 1980s

"I do not want to hear your excuse. Talk to the hand."

/POH-zer/

Someone who pretends to belong to a subculture they do not genuinely live

Origin: Punk and skater culture term for inauthentic followers, heavy 1980s use

"He bought a skateboard two weeks ago and now he is at every contest. Poser."

/TAYK uh CHIL PIL/

To calm down and stop being so agitated or overreactive

Origin: American teen slang of the mid-to-late 1980s, common in school environments

"Relax, the test is not until Thursday. Take a chill pill."

/BUST uh MOOV/

To perform a dance move; to take bold decisive action

Origin: Hip-hop slang popularized by Young MC song Bust a Move 1989

"The floor opened up and he just went out there and busted a move."

/HOHM-boy/

A close friend from the same neighborhood or community

Origin: African American and Chicano vernacular, hip-hop mainstream crossover c.1984

"He is my homeboy from way back, I trust him more than anyone else."

/KROO/

A close-knit group of friends, collaborators, or gang associates

Origin: Hip-hop and street culture term for a defined social group, c.1982-1988

"Do not even try it, his whole crew is right there watching."

/LAYM/

Uncool, disappointing, or lacking any redeeming excitement

Origin: American slang long in use, heavy frequency in 1980s teen and youth speech

"They cut the concert short after six songs. That is so incredibly lame."

/GOT-ah BOWNS/

I need to leave right now

Origin: Urban youth slang, precursor phrase documented in late 1980s New York City speech

"I gotta bounce, my mom is double-parked outside and losing her mind."

/STEL-er/

Exceptionally good or impressive; of starlike quality

Origin: Teen and preppy slang amplification of stellar from astronomy, c.1983-1988

"Your presentation was stellar, the whole board was nodding along."

/THRASH/

To skate or play music with aggressive, intense, high-energy style

Origin: Skate and punk music culture, Thrasher magazine founded 1981, in common use by 1984

"These kids come out here every Saturday and thrash the park for hours."

/NAR-lee DOOD/

An address to a friend while noting something impressive or extreme

Origin: Surfer and skater slang compound, California youth culture peak c.1983-1987

"Gnarly dude, you just cleared that entire set of stairs on the first try."

/AW-sum/

Exceptionally impressive; an enthusiastic generic positive

Origin: American teen vernacular intensifier, peak mainstream use throughout 1980s

"That movie was completely awesome, I have to see it again this weekend."

/MAY-jer/

Very significant or impressive; an intensifier for emphasis

Origin: Teen slang used as adjective and intensifier, common 1980s school speech

"I have major plans for spring break and I am not telling anyone yet."

/KOOL yer JETS/

Calm down; reduce your enthusiasm or anger

Origin: American slang playing on aviation imagery, common youth slang c.1985

"Cool your jets, we are not leaving until everybody finishes eating."