Our Favorite Slang Words from the ’80s
Welcome to a totally tubular journey back to the raddest decade of them all—the 80s! In a time when neon colors and big hair ruled, language was just as bold and dazzling. Get a backstage pass to the most iconic and gnarly expressions that defined a generation. Think of it as your linguistic time machine, where words like “Bodacious” and phrases like “Gag Me with a Spoon” weren’t just slang—they were an attitude, a lifestyle, a way to stand out in a crowd of mall-goers and arcade champions.
We’ll not only teach you what these classic expressions mean but also show you how to sprinkle them into your modern-day lingo like a pro. Whether you’re looking to inject some retro flair into your vocabulary or just want to impress your friends with your throwback knowledge, we’ve got you covered. So put on your leg warmers, crank up that synth, and get ready to discover how 80s slang can still be, like, totally awesome today!
Gnarly
- Meaning: Awesome, excellent, or impressive (could also mean difficult or intense in a negative context).
- Example: “That wave was totally gnarly, dude!”
“Gnarly” is the perfect 80s slang that captures the era’s extremes—whether it’s the wildest surf break or the most outrageous fashion faux pas. This versatile word could describe anything impressively cool or shockingly intense, making it a totally rad staple!
Rad or Radical
- Meaning: Cool, excellent, or great.
- Example: “Your new jacket is totally rad!”
“Rad” or “radical” was used for anything spectacularly cool or mind-blowingly impressive. Popularized by surfers, skateboarders, and pop culture, it became a defining expression of the era’s upbeat vibe. Declaring something “rad” was the highest form of 80s praise!
Bodacious
- Meaning: Impressive, bold, or attractive (often used to describe someone’s appearance or style).
- Example: “She’s got a bodacious look tonight.”
The 1980s slang term “bodacious” combined “bold” and “audacious,” describing something daringly bold, impressively grand, or irresistibly attractive. It captured the decade’s love for exaggerated, larger-than-life expressions of style and personality.
Totally
- Meaning: Used as an emphatic expression to agree with or emphasize something.
- Example: “I totally agree with you!”
“Totally” made everything sound more exciting or important. The word can show agreement or just add a fun flair to a sentence, and whether we like it or not, it has stuck around in our vocabulary today.
Gag Me with a Spoon
- Meaning: An expression of disgust or disapproval.
- Example: “Ugh, that outfit is horrible. Gag me with a spoon!”
Now this is a fun one. “Gag me with a spoon” was a popular phrase that showed disgust or irritation. Originating from California’s Valley Girl culture, it playfully exaggerated annoyance in a delightfully quirky and exaggerated way.
Tubular
- Meaning: Fantastic or excellent (originally surf slang).
- Example: “The concert last night was totally tubular!”
“Tubular” was the go-to 80s slang for anything totally awesome or excellent. Borrowed from surfing culture, it added a splash of excitement to everyday chatter, making everything seem as epic as riding a perfect wave!
Like
- Meaning: Often used as a filler word, especially by teenagers (popularized by “Valley Girl” speak).
- Example: “It was, like, the best party ever!”
“Like” became a filter word in the 80s that gave conversations a casual vibe. Unfortunately, it’s another word that stuck around. Now we’re all fighting to take “like” out of our vocabulary because we use it, like, way too much.
No Duh
- Meaning: An expression used when something is obvious.
- Example: “Of course I brought my ID. No duh!”
“No duh” was a sarcastic way of stating the obvious, often used to mockingly agree with something blatantly clear. It became a hallmark of teenage humor and casual conversational sass during the era.
Airhead
- Meaning: A person who is not very smart or is forgetful.
- Example: “Don’t be such an airhead, remember the directions!”
The 80s slang “airhead” humorously described someone scatterbrained or ditzy, adding a playful spin to forgetfulness. Coincidentally, the candy Airheads debuted in the 80s, sharing only a name, not origins, with the term. Totally sweet, right?
Veg Out
- Meaning: To relax or do nothing, often in front of the TV.
- Example: “I’m just gonna veg out and watch TV tonight.”
“Veg out” referred to relaxing or zoning out, often in front of the TV and came from the idea of being as laid-back as a vegetable (like calling someone a “couch potato”). The phrase turned doing absolutely nothing into a cool pastime.
Take a Chill Pill
- Meaning: Calm down or relax.
- Example: “You’re overreacting. Take a chill pill.”
“Take a chill pill” emerged in the 80s as a (somewhat) playful way to tell someone to relax or calm down. Although it sounded fun, when has telling someone to chill out ever actually worked?
Totally Tubular
- Meaning: Another way to say something is awesome, especially in surfer lingo.
- Example: “The waves today were totally tubular!”
“Totally tubular” rolled in from surf culture, amplifying “tubular” to express extreme excitement. It combines two of our favorite slang terms into its own fun phrase. This is one phrase you’d definitely hear from teenagers on the beach. Surf’s up, dude!
What's Your Damage?
- Meaning: What’s your problem or issue?
- Example: “You’ve been acting weird. What’s your damage?”
“What’s your damage?” emerged in the 80s as a cheeky way to question someone’s problem or attitude. Popularized by iconic teen films, this phrase humorously challenged others to explain their dramatic outbursts. Totally sassy, right?
Choice
- Meaning: Excellent or high-quality.
- Example: “This pizza is choice!”
This is one term that you might not have heard if you didn’t grow up in the 80s. “Choice” was the ultimate praise for something top-tier or exceptional. It let everyone know you had the best of the best.
Grody (to the Max)
- Meaning: Disgusting or gross.
- Example: “That leftover food is grody to the max.”
“Grody” or “grody to the max” was the expression for describing something extremely unpleasant or revolting. With a playful tone, it highlighted the gross factor, making even the nastiest things sound amusingly dramatic.