In a recent encounter at the gym, a younger individual complimented me by saying I had “cakes.” Unfamiliar with this modern slang, I found myself unsure whether to feel flattered or offended. After consulting the teenage daughter of a friend, I learned that this term refers to having a curvy figure, particularly in the posterior area. While I never considered myself to have a Kardashian-like backside, I recognize that “big” is subjective. Regardless, my ability to bike long distances without discomfort is something I take pride in.
Language is a fascinating entity, constantly evolving and adapting over time. Some phrases endure and are passed down to future generations, while others fade into obscurity. I hadn’t given much thought to the expressions from my own youth until my 11-year-old son innocently asked, “What do you mean when you say, ‘I’m so sure’?”
I hadn’t realized I still used this phrase, popular during my teenage years, but it certainly slips out during moments of exasperation. For instance, when my children scatter cat food all over the floor and step over it instead of cleaning up, I exclaim, “I’m so sure!” Or when one son hits another for no reason, the words come tumbling out again: “I’m so sure!” Similarly, if I ask one of my kids to clean the toilet and he only makes a half-hearted attempt, I raise my eyebrows and declare, “I’m so sure!”
Clearly, I still incorporate some ’80s expressions into my daily life, and why not? We did create some iconic phrases back then. Here are a few classics to jog your memory:
- Gag me with a spoon
- Grody to the max
- Barf me out
- Tubular
- Rad
- Righteous
- Gnarly
- Totally awesome
- Like, totally
- Like, whatever
- Très
- Don’t have a cow, man
- Take a chill pill
- No, duh
- Damn skippy
- Word
- Anything ending in “-amundo” (e.g., “I’m starving-amundo”)
My brother was particularly fond of ’80s slang, often using phrases like “I dogged you” or simply shouting “Face!” while rubbing his chin. If he had the chance to bring back any expression, I believe he would opt for “face” just to entertain his coworkers.
I encouraged my son to revive the phrase “I’m so sure,” especially since I use it regularly at home. He merely rolled his eyes, insisting that he and his friends have their own set of contemporary phrases. While that may be true, it’s hard to argue that anything can rival the charm of expressions like “Gag me with a spoon” or “Don’t have a cow, man.” I mean, no, duh!
In a recent poll among friends regarding outdated phrases, one friend, Mark, mentioned, “Dial the phone” as an example of language that has largely disappeared from use.
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Summary
The article reflects on the nostalgic phrases from the ’80s and their occasional revival in modern conversations. It highlights how language evolves while some expressions remain timeless. The author shares personal anecdotes about using these phrases in daily life, encouraging readers to appreciate the creativity of past vernacular.