Michael Jackson appropriated this term for the title of his 1987 album, but in reality it had been in use since the 1960’s when James Brown proclaimed himself to be “superbad.” The word stayed largely within the African American community throughout the 70’s until the 80’s saw everyone adopt it as their term for describing someone or something that was cooler than the word cool could adequately convey. ‘That is one bad locker door, Brenda!’
Like body – get it? Not particularly original but stemming from the California surf culture that gave the 80’s so many of its unique words and phrases. Can be combined alliteratively as in “what a bodacious bod, man!”
Another interesting 80’s phrase with a deep past. The word “duh” had been used to express bewilderment or ignorance since the 70’s, but adding “no” to the front created a sarcastic expression that points out the obvious. Replying ‘no duh’ to a statement made my another showed that you were way ahead of them when it came to putting things together.
“Sheena Easton is wicked hot.”“No duh, man.”
Simply put, it’s the phrase “what’s your problem?” stuffed into a time machine and sent back to the era when Heathers ruled the box office. It can also be used to imply that someone else is an idiot for having a specific opinion, or for doing a certain thing: “You like Wham! but not Tony Basil? What’s your damage?”
Long associated with Bart Simpson, this particular insult actually traces back even further and probably first hit pop culture through the movie “The Breakfast Club”. It was typically used as a comeback:
“Nice shirt, Kowalski.”“Eat my shorts, dude!”
A popular phrase used to disagree with someone, not quite rude but meant to convey a strong opinion. Of course, saying “not even” left one open to the insurmountable comeback of “even!”, which usually stopped the conversation dead in its tracks.
“Dude, he is totally hot.”“Not even!”“Even!”
Used to describe something that is totally cool, tubular or radical. “Jimbo totally caught a righteous wave yesterday just before sundown.” “Whitesnake’s last album was definitely righteous.”
One of the many snippets of 80’s slang to have originated from television, “where's the beef?" was taken from a series of Wendy’s hamburger chain commercials where an elderly granny complained about the size of her portion after lifting up her burger bun to investigate. The term eventually expanded and was used as a way to indicating that something important was missing from a situation or product. “Where’s the beef” didn’t survive the 90’s, but its memory lives on. “This movie bites, dude – where’s the beef?” (I'm going to start using this!)
Relax, cool out, calm down. A favorite term for Valley Girls to use when faced with a negative reaction from their posse of friends or when someone is freaking out for no reason. “Take a chill pill, Denise, I’m sure he’ll call you back when he gets home from work.”
A phrase used to react to a particularly offensive comment, remark or piece of news, which can trace its use back to the very first time a Valley Girl said, “Janis is dating Steve? Like barf me out!”
Similar to barf me out, but a bit more versatile in the world of Valley-speak. “History homework again? Gag me with a spoon,” or the stronger “Your boyfriend took you to a Barry Manilow concert? Gag me with a spoon!”
The most ubiquitous slang term to have originated in the 80s, like is a word which has managed to go the distance and work its way into the daily vocabulary of every generation of teenager to have been spawned since. Like is so infinitely malleable that it replaced “um” amongst Valley Girls and served to punctuate every expression, sentence or exclamation. “Like, did he like totally just like hang up on you? That is like, just like the height of like disrespect. Like, will you like dump him now or like after he takes you the dance of Friday?"
Tubular is the adjective that 80’s teens turned to when the word cool just wasn’t enough. It implies a coolness that surpasses the word. “Bananarama were cool, but the Bangles are tubular, dude! Toooh-tally tubular!”
Gnarly is an interesting piece of 80’s slang that came from surf culture but had its meaning shift over the years. Originally, gnarly was applied to something that was tough or a bit ragged, particularly a set of towering waves or a skateboard trick gone wrong. “Did you see his arm after he ate it hard on that half-pipe? Gnarly, man.” Gradually, however, it took on a new meaning as a way to describe something good. “Gnarly pad you’ve got man. I’m totally stoked for tonight’s party.” Today, the word gnarly lives on, and can bear either meaning depending upon the situation.
Grody to the Max
This phrase communicates that something is gross and distasteful and just ought not to exist. Think of that dude sitting one row up and over from you in 9th grade history class and his totally cheesy peach-fuzz mustache, complimented by his mullet and muscle shirt - that is like, grody to the max!
80's Play List
Call Me by Blondie 1980
Funkytown by Lipps, Inc 1980
Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes 1981
Jessie's Girl by Rick Springfield 1981
Celebration by Kool and the Gang 1981
Kiss On My List by Daryll Hall and John Oats
9 to 5 by Dolly Parton 1981
Keep On Loving You by REO Speedwagon 1981
Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor 1982
I Love Rock N' Roll by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts 1982
Jack And Diane by John Cougar 1982
Billie Jean by Michael Jackson 1983
Beat It by Michael Jackson 1983
Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler 1983
Man Eater by Daryll Hall and John Oats 1983
What's Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner 1984
Footloose by Kenny Loggins 1984
Jump by Van Halen 1984
Hello by Lionel Richie 1984
Ghost Busters by Ray Parker Jr. 1984
Karma Chameleon by Culture Club 1984
Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go by Wham! 1985
I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner 1985
Party All The Time by Eddie Murphy 1986
Walk Like An Egyptian by Bangles 1987
Alone by Hearty 1987
I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston 1987
Here I Go Again by Whitesnake 1987
Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi 1987
Got My Mind Set On You by George Harrison 1988
Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses 1988
Armeggedon It by Def Leppard 1989
Express Yourself by Madonna 1989
To the Theater's!
E.T. The Extra Terrestrial 1982
Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981
The Shining 1980
The Untouchables 1987
The Terminator 1984
Die Hard 1988
Raising Arizona 1987
The Princess Bride 1987
A Christmas Story 1983
Back to the Future 1985
When Harry Met Sally 1989
Ghostbusters 1984
The Little Mermaid 1989
Glory 1989
Driving Miss Daisy 1989
Return of the Jedi 1983
A Nightmare on Elm Street 1984
Caddyshack 1980
Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1984
Stand By Me 1986
The Goonies 1985
If you read ALL of that, that's like totally tubular righteously gnarly dude!
http://www.liketotally80s.com/80s-culture.html for more reading go there :D
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