Colloquial Drift
Every generation adopts numerous slang terms for "good" and "bad". It's interesting to watch such terms crop up that had different meanings in my youth.
Tight
Today: good, admirable. Those baggy pants around your ankles are quite tight.
In the 80s: unfair, unjust. Mr Paluzzi is so tight, he gave half the class detention for appearing disinterested.
Sick
Today: good, stylish. These beats are sick, and compel me to take a ride upon your disco stick.
In the 80s: disgusting. I couldn't bear to stomach that sick cafeteria food, hence my truancy at Little Caesars.
Dope
Today: good, nice, awesome. I realize I do not know you but for the lollipop you offer, but it would be most chill to ride in your dope vehicle.
In the 80s: drugs, typically stronger than the drugs the speaker is willing to ingest themselves. I realize I do not know you but for the heroin you offer, but it would be most chill to ride in your dope vehicle.
In the 50s: a stupid person. I do not know you, and hence I would have to be a dope to ride in your vehicle.
Ill
Today (spoken): good, denoting approval. Goodness me, the new Ke$ha LP has some ill packaging!
Today (written): "I will", preceding any activity besides punctuating things properly. ill c if i can go 2nite lol.
In the 80s: talented, engaged in a partylike atmosphere. Allow us presently to get ill with some def jams, my fine ethnic friend.
Bad
Today: not good. Michael Jackson's last album was bad.
In the 80s: good. Michael Jackson's last album was Bad.
In the 50s: not good. Who's this Michael Jackson chap?
Def
Today: certainly, unable to hear. I was def def after that concert.
In the 80s: good, talented. That fantastic large cat is a most def leopard.
Rad
Today: good, ironic. Wouldn't it be rad to wear some neon green spandex?
In the 80s: good, unironic. Wouldn't it be rad to wear some neon green spandex?
Legit
Today: good, not fake. It was pretty legit to just happen to find these ten wallets lying on the ground.
In the 90s: Seriously, you kept buying MC Hammer albums?
Juicy
Today: an enigmatic code word written across the seat of certain pairs of pants, surely unbeknownst to the wearer; reward has been offered for any explanation of this strange phenomenon.
In the 80s: amazingly ripe (as fruit) or sultry (as gossip). I have some juicy news about what the cantaloupe has been doing with the mango.
Awesome
Today: awesome. Awesome?
In the 80s: awesome. Awesome!
Tight
Today: good, admirable. Those baggy pants around your ankles are quite tight.
In the 80s: unfair, unjust. Mr Paluzzi is so tight, he gave half the class detention for appearing disinterested.
Sick
Today: good, stylish. These beats are sick, and compel me to take a ride upon your disco stick.
In the 80s: disgusting. I couldn't bear to stomach that sick cafeteria food, hence my truancy at Little Caesars.
Dope
Today: good, nice, awesome. I realize I do not know you but for the lollipop you offer, but it would be most chill to ride in your dope vehicle.
In the 80s: drugs, typically stronger than the drugs the speaker is willing to ingest themselves. I realize I do not know you but for the heroin you offer, but it would be most chill to ride in your dope vehicle.
In the 50s: a stupid person. I do not know you, and hence I would have to be a dope to ride in your vehicle.
Ill
Today (spoken): good, denoting approval. Goodness me, the new Ke$ha LP has some ill packaging!
Today (written): "I will", preceding any activity besides punctuating things properly. ill c if i can go 2nite lol.
In the 80s: talented, engaged in a partylike atmosphere. Allow us presently to get ill with some def jams, my fine ethnic friend.
Bad
Today: not good. Michael Jackson's last album was bad.
In the 80s: good. Michael Jackson's last album was Bad.
In the 50s: not good. Who's this Michael Jackson chap?
Def
Today: certainly, unable to hear. I was def def after that concert.
In the 80s: good, talented. That fantastic large cat is a most def leopard.
Rad
Today: good, ironic. Wouldn't it be rad to wear some neon green spandex?
In the 80s: good, unironic. Wouldn't it be rad to wear some neon green spandex?
Legit
Today: good, not fake. It was pretty legit to just happen to find these ten wallets lying on the ground.
In the 90s: Seriously, you kept buying MC Hammer albums?
Juicy
Today: an enigmatic code word written across the seat of certain pairs of pants, surely unbeknownst to the wearer; reward has been offered for any explanation of this strange phenomenon.
In the 80s: amazingly ripe (as fruit) or sultry (as gossip). I have some juicy news about what the cantaloupe has been doing with the mango.
Awesome
Today: awesome. Awesome?
In the 80s: awesome. Awesome!