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The Most Popular Slang Word the Year You Were Born

It seems like the kids these days are speaking in a language all their own. Words like 'yeet" and 'fomo' seem Greek to those of us above the age of 30 while today's youth are eating it all up. But, it wasn't that long ago that we had our very own language that we used with our own friends that had our parent's scratching their heads. As a matter of fact, each generation has had its very own version of slang that—unless we were there—we wouldn't understand what they were trying to tell us.

So, we started thinking... What was the popular slang back in the day and was was it all supposed to mean? For example, the term 'Mickey Mouse' was made popular in the 60s, but instead of describing everyone's favorite lovable mouse, it actually described the antics of one of his best pals, Goofy.  The slang 'guilt trip' is still widely used today, but originated in the 70s. Some slang, however, is pretty self-explanatory such as 'beat box' from the 80s. And did you know that if you wanted to say something was super amazingly awesome, the term 'da bomb' was the appropriate way to say it and look cool in the 90s?

So of course, we did some research and we found the most popular slang term for each year starting in 1960 all the way through the year 2000! Read on to see which slang term was most popular the year you were born or which slang was 'on and poppin' while you were a teenager!

 

2000

2000

Whassup? – A very loud and (mostly annoying) greeting of a friend

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1999

1999

Bling – Anything shiny on one’s person, like jewelry or gems on a dress

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1998

1998

Phat – Awesome, cool

1997

1997

Jiggy – excited, stylish, active, energetic

1996

1996

Whatever – whatever you say, I don’t care what you say, or whatever will be will be.

1995

1995

As If – Not possible

1994

1994

Benjamins – refers to $100 bills

1993

1993

Da Bomb – When something is fantastic or awesome

1992

1992

Not! – makes a statement sarcastic or untrue

1991

1991

Tighty Whiteys – male tightfitting underwear briefs

1990

1990

Kewl – Just an alternative spelling of the original word

1989

1989

Trash Talk – taunting or boastful comments between opponents

1988

1988

F-bomb – Specifically refers to the cuss word that starts with an F—So called because of its ability to shock

1987

1987

Couch Surfing – sitting around and watching television all day

1986

1986

Studmuffin – a handsome man

1985

1985

Radness – the state of being rad (awesome)

1984

1984

Major – described people and things with enthusiasm

1983

1983

Beat Box – first described the electronic drum machines that were embraced in 80s music, and then used to describe replicating the sounds of instruments with one’s mouth

1982

1982

Buff – describing an attractive male physique

1981

1981

Chill Pill – as in take one, man—to calm down

1980

1980

Frizzy – refers to hair that frizzes rather than cooperates

1979

1979

Nostalgia-Fest – as boomers get older so does their desire to look backward

1978

1978

Pig-Out – a feast of food, usually junk food

1977

1977

Brewski – beer

1976

1976

Hardball – business jargon, describes a particularly aggressive form of negotiation

1975

1975

Detox –this one has two meanings– detox juices and cleanses that splashed onto the California health scene earlier that year, and also the increased need for alcohol and drug addiction treatment

1974

1974

Motorhead – Someone who really likes motorcycles

1973

1973

Carbo – reference to any kind of food containing carbohydrates

1972

1972

Guilt Trip – giving someone a reason to feel guilty

1971

1971

Deadheads – the followers of the Grateful Dead

1970

1970

Dorky – alternative for nerd

1969

1969

Out of Sight – beyond belief

1968

1968

Bippy – reference to a rear end that came from the classic comedy sketch show Laugh In

1967

1967

Freak Flag – Jimi Hendrix coined this term to encourage people to let go and be themselves

1966

1966

Kegger – college party term, usually involving one or more kegs of beer

1965

1965

Grody – bad or gross in appearance

1964

1964

Aw-shucks – feigning innocence

1963

1963

Mickey Mouse – to goof off, especially on the job

1962

1962

Drop Dead – anything fabulous or gorgeous

1961

1961

Bratty – describes someone who is spoiled, whiny, and throws tantrums

1960

1960

Dullsville – a dull thing, place, condition, or person