Generational Sounds

Every generation has its unique sound. Music is the first thing that comes to mind. Who doesn’t remember the Big Band sounds of the ‘40’s, the beatnik rock and roll era of the ‘50’s, the mellow ‘60’s,  the groovy ‘70’s, or the always popular bitchin’ tunes of the ‘80’s? I’m not sure if you noticed what I did there, but it’s not just the music that represents the sounds of a particular generation. It’s the language, the slang, the terms the popular kids used at school. There’s a distinct sound for every generation.

I’m a child of the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. I was born in the ‘60’s, but consider myself a child of the following two decades because those are the years I remember the most. And fondly. I grew up in rural small-town America in a middle-class, church-going family. Nothing special. But, the sound of my generation filled my soul. I threw out slang because it was cool. I don’t know anyone who didn’t use an occasional slang word now and then. Even my totally not bitchin’ mom (You don’t want you mom to be bitchin’), tossed out a hip phrase or two on occasion.

We called people a Spaz, when they did something stupid. Pretty girls were foxes. We used terms like “radical,” “gnarly,” or “bitchin’,” when fearless kids completed amazing acts of stupidity wonder. We said “psyche,” when we tricked someone and “gag me,” when we didn’t like something. People don’t use those words today because they’re not trending anymore. (You see what I did there? Trending is a thing of the 2020’s.)

My parents were from the “groovy,” “far out,” and “dig it,” generation. Their trending word for popular girls was “queens,” and cool guys were “greasers.” We don’t use those words (in that way) today. They’re not hip anymore. They’re just weird words our not bitchin’ parents, or grandparents used. Although I secretly like using “groovy,” once in a while.

The generation after me used slang terms like “sick,” or “killer,” to describe something awesome. They often referred to cool things or people as “the bomb.” “Bling” was a real thing, and anxious, high-strung people were encouraged to take “chill pills,” when they needed to calm down. Nobody tosses out chill pills today. But kids nowadays wear “fire” outfits that make them look “snatched.” (I think I used those terms correctly.) And scary situations often call or “big yikes.” See, I’m from the more simplistic “yikes,” generation. Kids today have evolved and now require “big yikes.”

In today’s world people get “ghosted” and if you want to let someone know that you are telling the honest to God’s truth, you finish your truthful proclamation with “no cap.” In my day, “no cap” meant you had a cold head. If you “slay” something, you’re successful and if you show off you’re “flexing.” But if you “go off,” you’re having a temper tantrum. These are the sounds of today’s generation. Listen for them and be in the know. You’re welcome.

If you’re “snatched” and you’re “flexing,” you may have the “lewk.”

What are some cool, groovy, bitchin’, far out, expressions from your youth? I’d love to hear what your generation sounded like. Slay me with your no cap sounds.

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Word of the Day: Indurate

Fun fact about me: I’m still stuck in my generation when it comes to using slang words I’m still a Spaz sometimes who does some pretty gnarly things.

Original post by Jansen Schmidt, April 2022. Images by Google and giphy.com