In generic terms, they all mean good. They're slang, of course, but they've come to be accepted in general English use.
The problem with slang is that it's ever evolving. (I'm still not sure what 'phat' means...). The other day someone on Twitter asked, "Is 'badassery' a word?" I replied she should check out the Oxford English Dictionary, the bible of the English language.
Yep, badassery is a word.
She was thrilled because now she is justified in using the word (wonder if it'll make the copyeditor's cuts...) and it's obviously recognized enough that people should know the meaning. This is one of the few which I think is self explanatory. 'Phat' is not.
Slang- love it or hate it, it's unavoidable.
'Fo' shizzle.'
Char
Thanks for the badassery post, Char. :)
ReplyDeleteYvonne
I'm constantly amazed, and amused, at the flexibility of our language and he ability of folks to make new words go viral. Being terribly behind the times, I still find things "amazeballs", or consider them "covered in awesomesauce". Yes, I'm old and slow. LOL! What a great topic!
ReplyDeleteStopping by as part of the A-Z Challenge! I love finding new blogs.
Kat Sheridan with Sia McKye Over Coffee
I'm an old-fashioned traditionalist in love with the English language, and so I'm okay with slang until it gets added to the dictionary. Then I fume, and go look for an older dictionary.
ReplyDeleteSlang can be fun, and I like how it can be used in writing to show a character's personality. Badassery is one of my favorites!
ReplyDelete-L.G. Keltner, minion in Captain Alex's Ninja Army
http://lgkeltner.blogspot.com/
http://warpednerdiversity.blogspot.com/
I've given up trying to keep up with slang. I'd just sound silly using it, anyway.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from the A to Z Challenge!
John Holton
http://thesoundofonehandtyping.wordpress.com
I love the dynamism of language...ever changing
ReplyDeletethanks all for stopping by. :) Hope to keep you entertained.
ReplyDelete