Tru Dat
Friday, October 17, 2008 I'm not hip, although every once in a while a word from the Urban Dictionary comes out of my mouth and I'm proud that I recalled it from somewhere, and used the word correctly.
Neil at Citizen of the Month posted about slang today after needing to google a few words contained in some comments he received on a prior post. The seven of you who read my blog (see note) most likely have already read Neil's post, so this is a "department of redundancy department" post on my part.
NOTE: I used to say I had three readers, but I feel confident upping that number to seven. Although, my family is no longer a part of that total. My Dad doesn't "believe in blogs". He says he doesn't like it when people express private emotions publicly, and politely told me he wouldn't be reading my blog, but it was "nice" that I had one. Mother's busy. She plays bridge, shops, and takes stuff back. She checks a post once every couple of months. My brother Mallory Joe loses addresses and phone numbers. I think he's still looking for the link I've sent him a few dozen times. I'm pretty sure I annoy the rest of my family. It's okay. Really.
Neil references an article in his mother's AARP magazine that lists 50 words kids are using these days. He challenges his readers' knowledge of these words. It's entertaining, and I was only familiar with a handful. I'm 42.
Made me think of a few overused words and phrases that I've used in an effort to be hip, and I see on many other blogs.
- hawt - let's just all go back to typing "hot".
- whatevah - again, "whatever" conveys it just fine.
- I'm just sayin' - TMZ's been using this for years, not that I go to that site...
- ahem -This is a nice word. We're all using it too frequently.
- dude - on occasion this works, but there's a new breed of young women who pepper their posts with "Dude!".
- Dooce-ease - Some may disagree with me, but I think Dooce is a good writer and I believe she's tapped into the psyche of many which is why she's so popular. She has an identifiable writing style that I see imitated frequently when I blog surf. Dooce's style sometimes gets old on her site, so to see so many others use phrases like, "..and then I was all...", " and he was all...", or "Dude...". She's a female "dude" user that can get away with it. Usually. The rest of us need to think twice before throwing in a "dude" in an effort to be hip.
- Gawd - God works. We don't need to spell it incorrectly in an effort to avoid saying His name in vain. He'll still love us.
- heh-heh or huh-huh or Beavis & Butthead laugh - Yawn. I thought it was funny the first time I used it in a post too. I'm so clever... duh.
I think I'll quit before I alienate all seven of you. Remember. I stand before you, guilty of using all overused hip-terms and imitating other bloggers.
Check out Neil's post. He links to the AARP article, but you can also click here to read it.
Peace out.1
1From the Urban Dictionary: 1. A slang term telling someone good-bye, used with a hand gesture in
which you pound your chest with your fist twice, then give the peace
sign.
Reader Comments (25)
I rarely say dude. It makes me think of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Which was a not so excellent movie.
And you are 42?? Really? I thought you were 35 tops.
Corbie - If you've used "dude" in a post, it didn't register, which means you're a natural "dude" user. Don't change a thing! I wasn't thinking of any person in particular. Just me - I'm not a natural "hip" lingo user. I sound like an idiot.
Mrs. D. - I love you for saying you thought I was 35. Kisses. I look my age in person - really. And I'm okay with that. (Not fishing for compliments from anyone.)
Tristan - I can see you naturally using "dude"... All the girls are doing it now. :)
If you would have said 'Dudes, let's hear a shout out for Chrisy' that would have been cool!
Cheri - Intended to only out myself specifically. Admitting it is the first step though...
You don't text? I just taught a 70 year old woman from the gym how to text...get with the program!
So, I spell it g-a-w-d. Kinda like h-a-w-t, or d-a-w-g. Maybe I just like the letter 'W'.
Hope you counted me as part of your seven. If not, you're up to EIGHT!
1)If I hang around a high school girls will call me creepy and if I hanf around a college girls will call me sir.
2) If I find a word, one I do not already know and use on a regular basis, in an "urban dictionary" or any other like publication, I am in NO WAY allowed to use that word.Only possible exception being the mocking of a child and the way they speak... ie."Dad, this is so lame. why can't I have a Bratz doll like everyone else?" "IDK, go Holla at your Mom and ask her what a hooker is."
I can't use hip lingo either (fo' shizzle).
It becomes harder when you move to a new country. It's inevitable that I'll pick up the slang of the Aussies...the problem is I sound like a poser, mate (see! totally lame). *sigh*
Srsly . . .
By the way, according to my Google Reader, you have 15 subscribers. So you can safely up that number a bit . . .
Joe Girl - I was gonna have to break up with you if you didn't believe in Santa Claus. We're cool.
Brohammas - Sounds like you've learned two true things. Without exaggeration, you are the only other person who believes those Bratz dolls are hooker trainers. I'm with ya on that one sistah/brothah. (See, I can't do it.)
Claire - Whew. Thank you.
Deidre - When I saw your comment on Neil's blog, I thought you might be - a little older. (You're a sneaky one;) It was fun to read your blog and learn more about you. Nice of you to return the visit.
Tysdaddy - I'm not an English major, but I also struggle with ignoring the few rules I remember. You're nice. Srsly.
Wait til you read about kindergartenese- stay tuned.
I am SO not in the slang world. I THINK I am, but i am so not.
:-)
Loved your post.
Dude. I don't think I once mentioned wanting recovery. Heh.
;-)
Also? That winking smiley face is overused by everyone. Me worst of all. Heh.
Anna - Yeah. If you're older than Dooce, that totally makes it cool. Yeah. You look much younger though - I'm bein' honest.
Da Goddess - You? A follower? C'mon.
Tinsenpup - Thanks. You rawk.
Sherri - Neil's great. I'm addicted too. We'll be aw-ite though.
Kate - OMG! Never drink and blog. Never.
Jeanette - Thank you. I think your posts are great too.