Yip, Yep, Yup!
After reminiscing and laughing at slang words for
the 1950s, ‘60s, and ‘70s for the past three weeks, by the 1980s, it’s obvious
many kitschy words and phrases of the 20th century spanned all four
decades, and then some.
Nothing wrong with that, of course, just, even
after much research and pouring over many lists, it was
tough to pin them down per generation. No matter. They’ve still been fun and interesting to
bring back and chuckle over … and think about how we’ve changed … or not.
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| Oh, how we wanted Julia Roberts' hair! |
How “totally” UN-politically correct the 1980s were! At least, until the latter years. Other “uns” that
fit the decade: UN-natural, from spiral perms to fake accents; UN-abashed in an anything-goes-fashion nonsense; and
radio UN-censored began the trend of shock-and-awe everything … à la the
self-important Mr. Stern.
To wrap up RETRO Wordplay Wednesday, we’ll poke your memory and run through a few
fun slang words and phrases
that are synonymous with the ‘80s.
Like, oh no! Did you
see those argyle leg warmers? “Gag Me with a Spoon!” Ah yes, the onset of Valleyspeak!
Starting in California’s San Fernando Valley, it still lingers throughout
speech nationwide, in statements with an “uptalk” question? “No Duh.” Agh!
The 1980s resonated with “Mall Chicks” hanging
out more than they shopped, and “gnarly” surfer dudes, who dated all the “totally
bitchin’” babes.
But right from the beginning, as Silicon Valley began its techno rise to fame, there is one word that stretched
throughout the 1980s and into the ‘90s, defining a certain slick sector of
society. In today’s world, they likely would equate to successful start-up
entrepreneurs and high-end IT professionals …
YUPPIE (yupʹē) n.
– a young professional regarded variously as upscale, ambitious, materialistic,
faddish, etc. [WW / RETRO #183]
Making a play on “yippie,” the derisive slang
for “1968 radical activists” (according to the dictionary), we created the
other end of that spectrum in the ‘80s, with yuppie. In general use, a
mostly mocking term for “young urban professionals.” Think double-breasted suits resurrected from the 1940s for the guys, and big hair with big
shoulders (pads) for power play women. Side note … we thought 3” heels were
daring.
Practically everyone had a Rubik’s Cube (Ideal
Toy Co. 1980)— but not everyone could solve the puzzle. After a day with glossy
yuppies
and frustrating puzzles, we needed laughs, and tuned in to a plethora of comedy
television shows from Cheers to WKRP in Cincinnati.
Hope you enjoyed our RETRO month of Wordplay Wednesday
with a chuckle and mayhap a little wistfulness. Well … get over it! ‘Cause you’ll
need your wits about you as we head into the unknown for ROCK-tober and Halloween
month!
Word Challenge: YUPPIE. Why not “go ‘80s”
for Halloween? Tease your hair ladies, and grab your guy posing as Don Johnson
with push-up jacket sleeves and a t-shirt, as you fit yuppie into your week of retro
writings.
Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening!
Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s
your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay
Wednesday comments below.
Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle)
LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by
trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books (of
three) in her Blast from Your Past
series, available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll
Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll
Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon, … The Psychedelic Seventies!
E-N-Dzzzzzzzz
