Slang words are the way that generations differentiate themselves from the pack, which usually means what is “hip” today will sound ridiculous tomorrow. Case in point: “hip” didn’t originate from “hip hop”; rather it surfaced in the early 1900s.
Some slang words provide us with a nostalgic feeling and sometimes a quick laugh, and others grate on our nerves and remind us of when our mothers embarrassed us in front of friends. These are the most cringy slang words that some hope would find their place in history, and stay there (cringy included).
True Dat
“True dat” is some version of “That’s true.” Someone apparently thought it was punny to put it in reverse. The truth? It’s not fun anymore. Please, truly, don’t use it.
Hold Your Horses
We can only assume that “hold your horses” dates back to a time when people used horses for transportation. It’s supposed to be a signal that you are being impatient. For those of the world still using it, we have lost our patience.
Cool
Cool is one of those slang words that originates so early, we really can’t trace its origins. If you’re one of those people still using “cool,” you are anything but. Sure, it’s quick and rolls off of the tongue, but that doesn’t mean it should. Make it a cold day in hell before you use it again (yet another phrase that should be extinguished).
Chic
Chic has been combined with just about everything from a French-titled song to shabby. Shabby chic was really never anything more than worn-out furniture with a high-priced tag. There’s nothing stylish about the word chic, and just like the furniture that should have been thrown out instead of repurposed, let’s let it go.
Whatever
“Whatever” was a great way to dismiss something that someone was saying when you didn’t agree. That, however, was like 20 years ago. If someone uses “whatever” to make you feel stupid and to not acknowledge what you say, remember that they are using a phrase that should have been put to rest and ignored decades ago.
Get the Show on the Road
Let’s “get the show on the road” probably came from the irony of thinking that you and your posse (another slang word to be long forgotten) were important enough to make their presence. The show ended a long time ago. Much like obscure 80s bands that are still playing at small festivals, it’s time to pack it up. The phrase’s touring show is over.
Riding Shotgun
Riding “shotgun” means you want to sit in the passenger seat of the car. Most of us used it when we wanted to beat out a sibling in case they got to the car first. Guns are now offensive and anyone sitting in the passenger seat of a car has the highest probability of being injured. If you want to take the front, get there first, period.
Neat
The only thing that anyone should want “neat” anymore is whiskey. Once more, if someone adds an “o” to the end of it, there’s just no excuse for being that outdated. There is nothing neat about neat, so let’s agree to agree that the neat days are over.
Kickin it
“Kickin it” is another disaster coming out of the 90’s along with airbrush and neon. The only term that’s more grating than “kicking it” is the word that typically comes after it, which is the next word on the list.
Homies
No, no one should ever kick it with their homies. Homeys was a slang term that meant friends. Don’t age yourself or offend your friends by calling them that. “Friend” is just fine.
Crib
Crib used to be a term used to describe your stylish home. Why anyone would want to liken a place where you want to party and hang out as a “crib” will never be understood. Unless your home has rules like no sleeping on your stomach, no bumpers around the sides, or it has a music mobile hanging over it, let’s stick to “my place” please.
No Duh
“No Duh” was a phrase that was supposed to be an ironic term where you pointed out that something was obvious. It isn’t anything but stupid sounding, which negates the entire purpose of the phrase. Please, if something is obvious, let’s put “no duh” and “captain obvious” behind us and move on.
My Bad
Yes, if you continue to use the phrase “my bad,” it really is. Mea Culpa is the phrase that came before “my bad” and no one really knows what that means any more for a reason. Let’s replace it by just admitting that you’re at fault with a quick “sorry” and call it a day.
You Got Served
“You got served” has been used to describe everything from the horrible act of being notified you are being sued to someone bragging about their athletic win. No one likes to hear or get bad news. They also don’t want to hear the phrase “you got served” ever again. Got it?
Bogus
That’s “bogus” means it sucks. Sucks is an outdated phrase; so is bogus. There are plenty of other ways to say something is unfair, not fun, or stupid. Please find another one.
Chill Pill
In a world that’s already filled with too many pharmaceuticals and drugs, no one needs to take a “chill pill.” Just to be clear, that might actually be misconstrued today, and you can slang-word yourself into trouble just suggesting it. “Calm down” works just as fine, but, better.
Peeps
The only time anyone should use the phrase “peeps” is on Easter. They are little candies shaped like baby chicks, not people who have your back.
Epic
Epic things are amazing and change the world. Whatever it is you think is “epic” is most likely short-lived and exaggerated when you use slang to describe it. The term “epic” should be reserved for novels again.
Chillax
Chillax is a combination between “chill” and “relax.” Relax is still an okay word because it isn’t slang, it’s an actual word in the dictionary. We already talked about losing “chill,” so let’s eliminate this slang word too.
Shorty
Shorty is supposed to mean “girlfriend,” but that isn’t really anything that sounds endearing. It also perpetuates the fact that a girl should be somehow smaller or shorter than her male counterpart. When referring to your better half, let’s be better about what you call her.
Let’s Bounce
Let’s bounce is a slang term for “let’s get out of here,” and was used to make someone feel like you already stayed too long. Unless you walk in immediately and say “Let’s bounce out of here,” it loses all meaning. You can bounce that whole phrase out of the English language.
Phat
It might have been ironic to alter all of our perceptions about the word “fat,” but it is over. If you have to spell a word for someone to not be offended by what you call them, it’s easier to just remove it from our list of okay phrases.
Hit the Hay
Just like “Hold your horses,” “Hit the hay” is a phrase that comes from when people crashed in barns. Allergies are real, and hay is really bad to lay in, so just like resting your head for the night, let’s let this phrase rest eternally.
That’s a Wrap
Slang words are those that generations make up to differentiate themselves from previous ones. They are also words related to trends and cultural environments of the time. The problem with slang words is like wall colors; they define the age of the person who wears them. When a slang word no longer applies, it’s time to retire them to the vault, never to return. Some are offensive; some are weird; and some are just plain cringy. Like cringy, let’s all agree to agree to leave them in the past, where they belong.
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