When Slang Had a Little More Personality
Sometimes, it can feel like teens are pumping out new slang words every single day. From "rizz" to "mid" and "no cap," slang these days are short and often don't make a whole lot of sense. In many ways, modern slang also feels a little bland, especially when compared to the ones from the 1980s, which were full of expressive personality. To prove it, here are 20 fun 80s slang words and phrases that sound far better than what kids say today.
1. Totally Tubular
A fun way to express enthusiastically that something is excellent, impressive, or exciting, "totally tubular" was an 80s phrase that grew from surf culture. It might've started on the waves, but it quickly became associated with the exaggerated California speech that became popular throughout the decade's pop culture.
2. Gag Me With a Spoon
Few expressions communicate disgust quite as dramatically as “gag me with a spoon,” and we have the 80s to thank for that. Closely connected with Valley Girl speech, this slang phrase became popular when you needed to describe something gross, embarrassing, or unbearably unpleasant. The phrase is intentionally over-the-top, making it more fun than the modern favorite, “cringe.”
3. Rad
The word "rad" is short, simple, and gets to the point immediately. It's shortened from the word "radical," which was popular among skateboarders and surfers, but the three-letter version keeps it refreshingly easy to understand. Anytime you want to say something is excellent or impressive, it's a good word to whip out.
4. Take a Chill Pill
If you wanted to calm down someone who was getting overly upset or dramatic, this 80s phrase would definitely feel fitting. "Take a chill pill" was a playful way of suggesting someone relax, and it's best paired with a mildly sarcastic tone.
Samuel Regan-Asante on Unsplash
5. Bodacious
A word that feels satisfying to say, if something was particularly impressive, attractive, or amazing, you'd likely hear people say "bodacious" in agreement. The word existed before the 1980s, but it was this decade that helped turn it into a widely recognized piece of youthful slang.
6. No Duh
Sometimes, when someone states something so obvious that you need a witty response in return, "no duh" comes in handy with just the right amount of playfulness and sarcasm. The expression might sound mildly rude, which is why tone matters so much if you want to keep it lighthearted.
7. Grody
When you needed a word to describe something digusting or unpleasant, "grody" was the slang that most 80s teens would turn to. And if you really wanted to express your distaste, "grody to the max" would be used when ordinary disgust wasn't sufficient enough.
8. Psych!
Back in the day when you deliberately mislead someone, usually for a prank or joke, 80s teens would follow it up with an enthusiastic "psych!" that immediately made their intentions clear. Admittedly, that behavior likely became irritating rather quickly, but the expression itself was energetic and unmistakable.
9. Gnarly
Although "gnarly" was originally used to describe a dangerous surfing condition, it expanded into 80s slang that meant extreme, impressive, or intense. Context plays a big role here, because calling a skateboard trick gnarly and an injury gnarly meant two very different things.
10. What’s Your Damage?
When someone was behaving strangely, rudely, or aggressively, asking “What’s your damage?” was the slang way or asking what their problem was. The expression became especially recognizable through late-1980s teen culture and carried considerably more attitude than politely asking what was wrong.
11. Home Skillet
Having nothing to do with an actual skillet, "home skillet" was a silly and affectionate way to refer to a friend. Similar expressions we use today might be "homeboy" or "bro."
12. Word
It might not make much sense in theory, but when you wanted to agree with someone but keep your response concise, "word" is what 80s teens would normally say. Depending on the situation, it could indicate approval, acknowledgment, understanding, or agreement with what someone had just said.
13. Fresh
In the 1980s, fresh didn't just refer to fruit or just-washed sheets; "fresh" described something that was stylish or fashionable, a term that became strongly associated with hip-hop culture. You could use it to describe someone's clothes, music, or personal style.
Katsiaryna Endruszkiewicz on Unsplash
14. Bogus
“Bogus” was the appropriate response whenever something seemed unfair, disappointing, fake, or generally unacceptable. The term existed long before the 1980s, but youth culture gave it new life during the decade. It's the perfect word to sum up your mild disappointment.
15. Choice
Not referring to an actual decision, "choice" was an interesting 80s slang word that meant something was especially good, desirable, or high quality. Anything from a particularly good concert seat to a great parking spot or an impressive pair of sneakers could all qualify as choice.
16. Burn!
Whenever somebody delivered a great insult or comeback, it might be followed by a chorus of "burn!" from whoever was around. This fun expression turned an ordinary exchange of insults into something everyone nearby could participate in judging.
17. Motor
Having nothing to do with a car, "motor" was the word you'd use in the 80s if you had to leave quickly. It's basically the equivalent to the modern day "gtg," just a slightly more energetic and fun way to phrase that you needed to be somewhere asap.
18. Wig Out
To “wig out” might sound funny, but it was a versatile slang phrase that could mean extremely excited, upset, nervous, or emotionally overwhelmed. The exact emotion depended on the circumstances, but the underlying idea was that somebody had lost their usual composure.
https://kaboompics.com/ on Pexels
19. Trippin’
If someone was overreacting, acting irrationally, or misunderstanding a situation, you might tell them they were “trippin’” or "trippin' out." This familiar expression has roots that extend beyond the 1980s, but it was at its peak during this era for sure.
20. Like, For Sure
Another defining expression from the 1980s that became popular Valley Girl speech was "like, for sure," which had just the right touch of sassiness that expressed strong agreement. It's the kind of fun, enthusiastic phrase that makes slang so enjoyable to use.
