Revisiting the Colourful Slang of the '80s: Gen X's Cultural Vocabulary
Slang Common Among Generation X: Yuppie, Bogus, Cool Beans, and Additional Terms
Stepping back in time to the vibrant decade of the 1980s, we find ourselves immersed in the unique language of Generation X. Born between 1965 and 1980, this generation crafted a distinctive slang that mirrored their cultural influences and social environment.
From cassette tapes and arcades to MTV, hip hop, surfing, and heavy metal music, Gen Xers were surrounded by a melting pot of influences that shaped their language. Phrases like "Psych!", used to trick someone with a sarcastic comeback, embodied a playful, edgy Gen X humor. To say something or someone "rocks" was a way for Gen Xers to express excitement and admiration.
The slang also included the dramatic "Gag Me With a Spoon", a hallmark of Valley Girl speak, adding a touch of drama to expressions of disgust. The casual dismissal "Whatever" became iconic for capturing Gen X culture, while the simple slang term "Word" was borrowed from hip-hop and used to affirm agreement or express admiration.
The dismissive phrase "Talk to the Hand" was another popular expression, used to shut down a conversation with attitude. Gen Xers also used similar insults to "basic" to refer to people who lacked originality.
This slang not only reflected Generation X’s identity and values but also served as a cultural touchstone during a time of rapid social and technological change. It influenced everyday communication and contributed to the punchlines and dialogue in movies, music, and television, helping to define the era's “cool” vernacular.
Phrases like "bogus," "yuppie," and "cool beans" became emblematic of Gen X’s ironic and skeptical worldview, often characterized by a blend of cynicism and humor. Today, this slang serves as a nostalgic marker, distinguishing Gen X from younger generations such as Millennials and Gen Z, who often regard these phrases with curiosity or amusement.
The creation and use of this slang were intertwined with the broader cultural identity of Gen X, which includes economic uncertainty and skepticism toward societal norms, as explored in Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, which popularized the generational label itself and captured the zeitgeist of the era.
In summary, Gen X slang originated from the cultural mix and social conditions of the 1980s, becoming a significant element of Generation X’s identity in pop culture. It both reflected and shaped how this generation communicated, expressed attitudes, and differentiated itself from others during a formative period.
- The 90s may not have had the same impact as the 80s in shaping slang, but technology began to influence lifestyle, leading to new terms.
- For example, "texting" became a common practice, revolutionizing communication, much like video games affected the term "level up."
- In the realm of fashion-and-beauty, "athleisure" emerged, reflecting the trend towards casual, comfortable clothing.
- Food-and-drink saw the rise of "brunch," as a mid-morning meal became more popular, blending breakfast and lunch.
- Relationships experienced changes, leading to the term "ghosting" to describe a romantic partner suddenly ending communication.
- Pets also became more integrated into society, with phrases like "cat dad" and "dog mom" becoming common in social-media posts.
- Travel, especially solo travel, brought about terms like "wanderlust" and "digital nomad."
- The evolution of cars led to the term "autopilot" becoming common.
- Books, specifically e-books, led to the phrase "page-turner" being used to describe engaging literature.
- Education-and-self-development saw a rise in online courses, leading to the term "e-learning."
- Personal-growth focused on mental health and self-improvement, with terms like "mindfulness" and "self-care" becoming popular.
- Blackjack, big-wins, and casino-and-gambling saw the rise of terms like "house edge" and "bankroll management" in the gaming world.
- Social-media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram, brought new slang like "lit," "captions in bio," and "influencer."
- Career-development saw the rise of phrases like "personal branding" and "career pivot."
- In the world of casino-culture and pop-culture, "high rollers" and "VIP rooms" became common terms.
- Sci-fi-and-fantasy, due to the popularity of shows like Stranger Things and Game of Thrones, brought terms like "binge-watch" and "NDAs (non-disclosure agreements)" into common use.
- General-news outlets began using terms like "fake news" and "deep fake" due to the rise in disinformation.
- Crime-and-justice saw terms like "stand your ground" and "blue wall of silence" become part of the public lexicon.
- Learning about responsible-gambling practices led to terms like "gambling addiction" and "self-exclusion."
- Skills-training platforms led to the term "micro-credentials" becoming commonplace.
- Sports terms like "slam dunk," "home run," and "hat trick" continued to be used.
- With the success of the WNBA, "W" became a term to celebrate a win for women's basketball.
- Baseball, hockey, golf, and other sports also continued to shape common terminology.
- Sports-betting, especially online, led to new phrases like "prop bets" and "live betting."
- Basketball, particularly the NBA, saw the rise of terms like "360-degree spin" and "and-one."
- College basketball, especially during March Madness, brought about new terms like "bracketology" and "Cinderella team."
- Racing terms like "pole position," "pit stop," and "checkered flag" continued to be used across different sports and entertainment, mirroring the enduring popularity of auto-racing and horse-racing.
