Generation X Slang
Generation X slang can be difficult to understand, particularly if you do not yourself belong to this generation. Below we have gathered a list of some of the most popular Generation X slang, along with translations and example sentences, so that you can enter your next Generation X conversation with confidence.1. All That
Translation: Great or superior
Origin: 1990s slang popularized by TV shows.
Example: She thinks she's all that.
2. As if!
Translation: Yeah, right!
Origin: This slang gained widespread recognition in the 1990s, particularly through pop culture moments like the movie Clueless, where it was famously delivered with exaggerated flair.
Example: You're telling me they think they can win the talent show without rehearsing? As if!
3. Bling
Translation: Flashy jewelry or wealth
Origin: 1990s hip-hop slang for expensive jewelry.
Example: Check out his bling, that chain is massive.
4. Bodacious
Translation: Impressive or excellent
Origin: 1980s, a blend of 'bold' and 'audacious'.
Example: That bodacious babe just walked by. She's totally rad.
5. Bogus
Translation: Unfair or fake
Origin: 1980s, used to describe something disappointing or untrue.
Example: That test was totally bogus. No way anyone could pass.
6. Booyah
Translation: Expression of excitement or victory
Origin: 1990s exclamation of triumph.
Example: Booyah! I just beat the final level!
7. Bounce
Translation: To leave
Origin: 1990s slang for departing.
Example: This party is lame, let's bounce.
8. Bummer
Translation: Disappointment
Origin: 1960s, popularized again in the 1980s.
Example: Missing the concert was a total bummer. So not rad.
9. Chill
Translation: Take it easy
Origin: The word chill originates from the 14th century, but the modern informal sense of "chill" emerged much later. This usage gained popularity in American English during the late 20th century, particularly with the phrase "chill out," which became common in the 1970s and 1980s.
Example: After rocking out to Nirvana all night, I'm just gonna chill and watch MTV for a bit.
10. Chill Pill
Translation: Relax
Origin: Popularized in the early 1980s, this phrase suggests taking a metaphorical 'medicine' to calm down.
Example: Dude, you're totally trippin'. Take a chill pill and relax.
11. Clap back
Translation: A sharp response to criticism
Origin: 1990s-2000s slang for witty retaliation.
Example: She clapped back at the haters.
12. Cool beans
Translation: Great or okay
Origin: 1980s slang for approval.
Example: You can come over? Cool beans!
13. Cowabunga
Translation: Expression of excitement
Origin: 1990s, popularized by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Example: Cowabunga, dude! That was awesome!
14. Crib
Translation: Home or apartment
Origin: 1990s hip-hop slang for living space.
Example: Come check out my new crib.
15. Da Bomb
Translation: The best
Origin: 1990s slang for something excellent.
Example: This pizza is da bomb!
16. DINK
Translation: Dual Income No Kids
Origin: 1980s acronym for a type of household.
Example: They're DINKs, living the good life.
17. Dip
Translation: To leave
Origin: 1990s slang for departing.
Example: I gotta dip, see you later.
18. Diss
Translation: Insult
Origin: Shortened from 'disrespect', popular in the 1980s.
Example: Did you hear him diss the teacher? Totally harsh.
19. Don't have a cow
Translation: Don't overreact
Origin: 1980s-1990s, popularized by The Simpsons.
Example: Don't have a cow, man! It's not that serious.
20. Dope
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: 1990s slang for something impressive.
Example: Those new sneakers are dope!
21. Dude
Translation: Person
Origin: Originally an insult in the 1870s, became popular in the 1980s.
Example: Dude, where's my car? This is totally bogus.
22. Epic
Translation: Awesome or legendary
Origin: 1990s-2000s slang for something grand.
Example: That party was epic!
23. F*ckin' A!
Translation: Expression of strong agreement
Origin: 1970s-1980s emphatic affirmation.
Example: F*ckin' A! That's exactly right!
24. Fly
Translation: Cool or stylish
Origin: 1990s hip-hop slang.
Example: Your outfit is fly today.
25. Fresh
Translation: Cool or new
Origin: 1980s-1990s hip-hop culture.
Example: Those kicks are fresh!
26. Gag me
Translation: Expression of disgust
Origin: 1980s Valley Girl slang.
Example: Gag me with a spoon! That's so gross!
27. Gnarly
Translation: Awesome or extreme
Origin: Surf culture in the 1970s, used to describe something challenging or impressive.
Example: That wave was gnarly, man! Totally rad!
28. Going postal
Translation: Losing your temper violently
Origin: 1990s term from workplace violence incidents.
Example: He totally went postal when he got fired.
29. Groovy
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: Popular in the 1960s, especially among the hippie subculture.
Example: That concert was totally groovy, man! I'm digging the vibes.
30. Headbanger
Translation: Heavy metal fan
Origin: Early 1980s, referring to fans of heavy metal music who headbang.
Example: He's a total headbanger, always at those gnarly concerts.
31. Hella
Translation: Very or a lot
Origin: Early 1980s, used to emphasize something.
Example: That party was hella fun! We were turnt to the max.
32. Homeskillet
Translation: Close friend
Origin: 1990s playful variation of "homeboy."
Example: What's up, homeskillet?
33. Homeslice
Translation: Close friend
Origin: 1990s variation of "homeboy."
Example: Hey homeslice, long time no see!
34. Homie
Translation: Close friend
Origin: 1990s slang, short for "homeboy."
Example: What's up, homie?
35. Icy
Translation: Wearing expensive jewelry
Origin: 1990s hip-hop slang for diamonds.
Example: He's looking icy with all that jewelry.
36. Lame
Translation: Boring or uncool
Origin: 1980s-1990s slang for something disappointing.
Example: That party was so lame.
37. Literally
Translation: Used for emphasis (often incorrectly)
Origin: 1990s-2000s overuse of the word.
Example: I literally died laughing!
38. My Bad
Translation: My mistake
Origin: 1990s slang for apologizing.
Example: My bad, I didn't mean to step on your shoe.
39. No duh
Translation: Obviously
Origin: Sarcastic phrase from the 1980s.
Example: No duh, the sky is blue. You're such a dweeb.
40. Phat
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: 1990s slang, stands for "Pretty Hot And Tempting."
Example: That beat is phat!
41. Props
Translation: Respect or recognition
Origin: 1990s slang, short for "proper respect."
Example: Props to you for acing that test.
42. Psych someone out
Translation: To intimidate or confuse
Origin: 1980s slang for psychological manipulation.
Example: He tried to psych me out before the game.
43. Psyche
Translation: Just kidding
Origin: 1980s, used to retract a statement or indicate a joke.
Example: I won the lottery! Psyche! Just kidding, dude.
44. Rad
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: Short for 'radical', popular in the 1980s.
Example: That skateboard trick was rad! You're totally gnarly.
45. Right on
Translation: I agree
Origin: 1960s-1970s, continued into the 1980s.
Example: Right on, brother!
46. Rock
Translation: To be excellent
Origin: Grunge and punk rock culture in the 1980s.
Example: You rock that outfit! It's totally tubular.
47. Slay
Translation: To excel or dominate
Origin: Originally used in drag culture, now mainstream to describe doing something exceptionally well.
Example: You slayed that presentation! So proud of you.
48. Talk to the Hand
Translation: I don't want to hear it
Origin: 1990s dismissive phrase.
Example: Talk to the hand, 'cause the face ain't listening.
49. That rocks
Translation: That's great
Origin: 1980s-1990s slang for approval.
Example: You got tickets? That rocks!
50. Thirsty
Translation: Desperate for attention
Origin: 1990s-2000s slang for neediness.
Example: He's acting so thirsty on social media.
51. Tight
Translation: Cool or close
Origin: 1990s slang for something good or a close relationship.
Example: We're tight, we've been friends forever.
52. To the max
Translation: To the extreme
Origin: 1970s, became popular in the 1980s.
Example: We're partying to the max tonight! It's gonna be rad.
53. Trippin'
Translation: Acting crazy or overreacting
Origin: 1980s, used to describe someone acting irrationally.
Example: You're trippin' if you think I'm going to that lame party.
54. Tubular
Translation: Excellent or cool
Origin: Surf culture in the 1980s.
Example: That movie was tubular! Can't wait to see it again.
55. Wack
Translation: Bad or uncool
Origin: 1980s-1990s hip-hop slang.
Example: That movie was totally wack.
56. Wassup
Translation: What's up
Origin: 1990s casual greeting.
Example: Wassup, dude?
57. Whatever
Translation: Dismissive response
Origin: 1990s slang for showing indifference.
Example: You don't like my music? Whatever.
58. Wicked
Translation: Very or extremely
Origin: 1980s, used to emphasize something.
Example: That concert was wicked awesome! Totally gnarly.
59. Wig out
Translation: Freak out
Origin: 1960s, popularized again in the 1980s.
Example: She totally wigged out when she saw the spider. Hella funny!
60. Word
Translation: Agreement or truth
Origin: 1990s hip-hop slang.
Example: You're going to the concert? Word.
61. You dig it?
Translation: Do you understand?
Origin: 1960s-1970s, used into the 1980s.
Example: We're meeting at 8, you dig it?
62. Yuppie
Translation: Young urban professional
Origin: 1980s acronym for young, ambitious city dwellers.
Example: That yuppie is always talking about his stock portfolio. So bogus.