Iconic 80s slang that is like totally radical to the max, no duh

Iconic 80s slang that is like totally radical to the max, no duh

The 80s were a different time from modern days, as everything was brighter and fancier - from fashion to the way people expressed their thoughts. There were a lot of interesting slang words back in the day, and some of these expressions are still being used today. Check out the most exciting and creative 80s slang that used to be popular in the era.

80s slang
Image: gettyimages.com
Source: Getty Images

Many of the 80s slang words were frequently used in movies and TV series, so they quickly found their way into everyday conversations. 80s words are fancy, bold, and nostalgic for everyone who had a chance to observe them in use.

Here are, like, totally radical 80's slang words that you will find hella bodacious. Are you curious yet?

Cool 1980s slang that is still iconic

Back in the day, 80s lingo was very unique and popular among people of all ages. Here are some well-known 80s words with meanings.

Read also

50+ great sibling quotes to share with your brothers and sisters

  • Bad - means something that is "cooler than cool". A car or an outfit that impressed someone a lot could be called bad.
  • Bod - has the same meaning as "body" and is often used as a compliment on someone's physical build. It originated from surf culture in California.
  • Bounce - leave. If you and your friends are leaving a party, you can say "let's bounce".
  • Burn out - to overwork yourself, wear yourself out.
  • Even - used as a form of disagreement with someone. E.g. someone makes a statement, you disagree by saying "not even", and they disagree with you by saying "even".
  • Freak out - to panic or lose control.
  • Gnarly - also came from surf culture. Means something that is good, even though its original meaning was tough or ragged.
80s catch phrases
Image: pixabay.com
Source: UGC
  • Motor - it means the same thing as "got to go". For instance, you can say "I've got to motor" when you are excusing yourself from a party or an outing with friends.
  • Psych - this one has a few meanings. While it can be used in a positive context, such as "thrilled, stoked", it can also mean "confuse, intimidate someone".
  • Radical - back in the 80s, some edgy and bold choices, especially in fashion, were called "radical", which is cooler than just "awesome".
  • Ralph - in college culture, "ralphing" meant vomiting.
  • Righteous - this term also signified something that is cool, bearing a similar meaning to "radical". You could describe an outfit or a music album with this adjective.
  • Tubular - this word originated from Latin and French, and acquired a new meaning in the 80s - "perfect, awesome". This one also came from surfers who used it to describe waves.
  • Veg out - relax, space out, stop paying attention.
  • Wig out - lose control over something.
  • Word - used to express agreement with a thing someone said. E.g. "This movie was bad" - "Word".
  • Zeek - same as a geek, but undeniably attractive.

Read also

60+ iconic 90s slang words and phrases that only true 90s kids will remember

80s catch phrases that you will love

Some 80s phrases were frequently added to normal sentences for additional effect.

80s sayings
Image: gettyimages.com
Source: Getty Images
  • Hella - this adverb means "a lot of" or "extremely, very". You can say "hell of a lot" when you describe huge amounts of something, or "hella cool" as an equivalent to "very cool".
  • Duh - this phrase also has an alternative option "no duh", and is used when you hear something stupid or too obvious to be stated. For instance: "The sky is blue" - "Duh".
  • Like - today, this word is often used in modern conversations. It is believed to have originated back in the 80s for people to punctuate their sentences and expressions.
  • Totally - absolutely, one hundred percent.

80s sayings that are fun and unique

80s lingo was full of sayings that you will not hear often nowadays. What are some old slang words?

Read also

Zen quotes that will keep you calm and peaceful

  • Eat my shorts - lose to someone with shame. Was often used by sports fans chanting about the other team.
  • Gag me with a spoon - expression of disgust or disapproval.
  • Barf me out - a synonym to "gag me with a spoon".
  • Bag my/your face - when someone considers themselves or someone else unattractive.
  • What's your damage - same as "what's wrong with you?"
  • Take a chill pill - relax, don't overthink.

80s words that have popular meanings

Here you can have a look at the expressions that can easily replace popular words. Some of them are still frequently used decades later.

The following words mean "yes":

  • Big time
  • Cheeuh!
  • For sure
  • I kid you not
  • No doy
  • Yes way

Here is how you could say "no" in the old times:

  • No can do
  • Tough
1980s slang
Image: pixabay.com
Source: UGC

All the following expressions are the 80s slang for so cool:

Read also

Amazing Oscar Wilde quotes that every literary fan should know

  • B*tchin'
  • Bodacious
  • Excellent
  • Fantabulous
  • Most triumphant
  • Outrageous
  • Schweet
  • Stellar
  • Wicked

The following slang means "more of, very":

  • Mad
  • Major
  • Mega

More 80s slang words

People would often come up with creative insults for others:

  • Airhead - empty-headed person.
  • Barf bag - ugly.
  • Bite me - rejecting someone aggressively.
  • Bogus - undesirable.
  • Chicken - a coward.
  • Dip - a fool.
  • Ditz - a brainless person.
  • Harsh - tough or unpleasant.
  • Lame - boring, uncool.
  • Mental - crazy.
  • So '87 - outdated.
  • Space cadet - clueless.
  • Wannabe - someone who wants to reach a certain level or achieve something, but is unable to.
  • Warped - twisted or messed up.

However, people also frequently praised one another:

  • Bad to the bone - with a sense of style.
  • BFF - best friend forever.
  • Brill - brilliant.
  • Clutch - successful.
  • Deadly - really cool.
  • Fave - favorite.
  • Fine - good-looking.
  • Fresh - brand new and exciting.
  • Glam - glamorous, stylish.
  • Homeboy or homegirl - a good friend.
  • Legit - cool and awesome.

Read also

Powerful Forrest Gump quotes that the film's fans will love

80s phrases
Image: pixabay.com
Source: UGC

These times were also famous for a lot of different subcultures and class divisions among youngsters.

  • Boho - someone who lives an artistic, "bohemian" lifestyle.
  • Couch potato - someone who likes spending time at home more than anything.
  • Goth - a person who is a part of gothic culture, characterized by dark style choices and sad music.
  • Hacker - the one that is good at technology.
  • Jock - an athlete, not very intelligent.
  • Nerd - an intelligent and studious person with barely any social life.
  • Punk - a person who is a part of punk culture, characterized by ragged, pierced looks and rebellious, aggressive music.

Finally, hip hop started influencing the masses in the 80s, which birthed a lot of cool words that people quickly picked up.

  • B-boy - breakdancer.
  • Bomb - good, great.
  • Def - definitely.
  • Hood - neighborhood.
  • Hype - excitement, energy.
  • Ill - good, great.
  • Jam - favorite song.
  • Posse - friend group.
  • Step off - depart, get involved in activities with friends.
  • Stupid - extremely. E.g. "it's stupid expensive"
  • Yo mama - a mild "your mother" insult.

Read also

The most inspiring brainy quotes that will make you think

80s slang is still remembered and used to this day, and a lot of these words are very creative and imaginative.

READ ALSO: Iconic 90s slang that only the true 90s kids will remember

Legit.ng brings you the most memorable expressions of the 90s decade. The 90s had some special and mind-blowing fashion and trends.

The decade is remembered for fun stuff like quotable movies, great music, and unforgettable television shows. Many of the commonly used words were drawn from popular movies and TV shows.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Regina Stets avatar

Regina Stets (SEO writer) Regina has been working as a reporter since 2017. She has written numerous publications on various topics, including celebrities, lifestyle, news, and many more. In addition to writing, she is also an English teacher, translator and a volunteer. Her interests are art, psychology and travelling, and she believes in equal rights for everyone. reginastets@gmail.com