Every generation can be identified by its cultural contributions in music, films and even the language we speak. Generational language is a broken form of made-up words and catchphrases, which we know as slang, and is used to communicate with friends and eventually becomes woven into the fabric of society. Some of the greatest and yet most outrageous slang terms and phrases were born out of the neon and synthesizer decade of the '80s. With phrases like "Gag me with a spoon" one might be confused when speaking to someone with a heavy slang vernacular.
Pop culture is always a snapshot of a decade's music, fashion and films. The '80s were a decade where films like "Valley Girl," "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," and "Heathers" produced iconic slang terms and firmly put the lingo into society's rhetoric. Even stuffy politicians were using terms like awesome and radical. Some of these terms can transcend a generation or decade and maintain stature in modern day language. Some words become so synonymous with a movie or TV show that we will always associate the two together for decades to come. Don't worry, we don't think you're a dweeb if you can't remember all the slang terms. See if you can get a wicked score on this quiz and show us your tubular skills on the ultimate '80s slang quiz!
What is the name of the portable music player common in the '80s?
Boom Box
A large portable music player is referred to as a boom box. It often contained double cassette players to dub or record music.
How would you describe someone who wants to be with the in-crowd?
Poser
Someone who wants to be popular and with the in-crowd is often called a poser. A poser will dress like the popular kids in hopes of gaining status in a group.
Which '80s movie made the phrase, "I'll be back" famous?
Robocop
The Terminator
The classic futuristic movie, "The Terminator," gave us the famous phrase, "I'll be back." Star Arnold Schwarzenegger was an action star with a noticeable accent as he hailed from Austria. The phrase is synonymous with the movie and used in a variety of ways in modern pop culture.
Which of the following terms was actually coined in the '60s but made famous by a TV character in the '80s?
What's your bag, man?
Don't have a cow.
"The Simpsons" is an animated show that started in 1989. The character Bart Simpson famously uses the term, "Don't have a cow" when he wants someone to relax.
If someone directed an insult at you, what could you say as a comeback?
So generic
Your momma
Your momma was a comeback that could be used when someone insulted you. This could also be returned with a series of jokes based on the weight of one's momma.
What would be some advice you would give to someone who needs to relax?
Take a chill pill.
When people are spazzing out, a friend might tell them to take a chill pill. While not an actual pill, this was a popular way to calm down a friend in distress.
What term would you use to describe someone who is into heavy metal music?
Preppy
Mod
Headbanger
People in the '80s who listened to heavy metal music were referred to as Headbangers. These individuals often smoked cigarettes, grew long hair and banged their heads to loud music such as Quiet Riot.
This classic slang phrase is used to ask what may be wrong with a person.
Whatchu talkin' about?
What's your damage?
When someone suspects there may be something wrong with a friend they may ask, "What's your damage?" This can also be used with a stranger to assess an unsavory situation.
What phrase might someone utter when they want a person to shut up?
Not even
Piss off
Bag your face
Used in the classic movie, "Valley Girl" the term, bag your face means to shut up. This does not refer to the actual suffocation one might assume from an actual bag over the face.
What is a dance style typically associated with punk rock or hardcore music?
Spazzing
Moshing
A form of dancing that involves slamming into other concert goers in an aggressive matter is called moshing. Moshing is typically associated with punk and heavy metal music.
Which fast food restaurant gave us the famous '80s catchphrase, "Where's the beef?"
Wendy's
A commercial in the '80s for Wendy's famously coined the expression, "Where's the beef?" The commercial became a sensation and is still synonymous with Wendy's.
What is a term that refers to a cool or popular person?
Preppie
A preppie is someone who is associated with a prep school look. They appear to have money and dress in sweaters, loafers and collared shirts. Sometimes referred to as snobs.
If something is beyond awesome, how might you describe it?
Cool
Rad
Tubular
Trippendicular
Awesome can be one-upped with the term trippendicular. This describes something next level. It can also be used in conjunction with something that is totally amazing.
If you want to give someone praise for being correct, you might say what?
Cool beans!
Yeah, that's the ticket!
Usually, this is an indication that an explanation was just created. It originated from a "Saturday Night Live" sketch with Jon Lovitz who was a habitual liar in the sketch.
Which '80s movie character might you call someone who was a nerd?
Mickey
McLovin
McFly
In the movie, "Back To The Future" the main character's last name is McFly. When he goes back in time he sees his father is a nerd and gets bullied in school. Thus the term McFly for a nerdy person.
What suffix phrase was added to '80s slang terms in order to magnify the effect of a word?
Out the door
Out the door was a common suffix phrase to add an additional amount of exaggeration to a term Example: "Gag me out the door" or "Gross me out the door."
What movie from the '80s does the term, "Say hello to my little friend" refer to?
Platoon
Top Gun
Robocop
Scarface
In the movie "Scarface," the main character of Tony Montana finds himself barricaded in his house. He exclaims, "Say hello to my little friend" referring to a gun, before he blasts through the closed doors.
The term "duh" or "no duh" can be used to do what?
Express dislike
Express bewilderment
Tell someone to shut up
Say something is obvious
If a person wants to make sure that something seems very obvious, they may say "duh" or "no duh." This makes sure that the other person knows they are way ahead of them.
Psyche can be used to fake someone out or express a vibe that you are just kidding or joking around. Not always directly related to the word psychology.
Every generation can be identified by its cultural contributions in music, films and even the language we speak. Generational language is a broken form of made-up words and catchphrases, which we know as slang, and is used to communicate with friends and eventually becomes woven into the fabric of society. Some of the greatest and yet most outrageous slang terms and phrases were born out of the neon and synthesizer decade of the '80s. With phrases like "Gag me with a spoon" one might be confused when speaking to someone with a heavy slang vernacular.
Pop culture is always a snapshot of a decade's music, fashion and films. The '80s were a decade where films like "Valley Girl," "Fast Times At Ridgemont High," and "Heathers" produced iconic slang terms and firmly put the lingo into society's rhetoric. Even stuffy politicians were using terms like awesome and radical. Some of these terms can transcend a generation or decade and maintain stature in modern day language. Some words become so synonymous with a movie or TV show that we will always associate the two together for decades to come. Don't worry, we don't think you're a dweeb if you can't remember all the slang terms. See if you can get a wicked score on this quiz and show us your tubular skills on the ultimate '80s slang quiz!
