You probably remember how quickly language can date a moment. This article walks you through ten once-constant 1980s phrases that you might have said every day back then but rarely hear now, so you can spot which slang stuck and which vanished.
Bold the most important sentence that provides value — answering the question: You’ll see why those expressions faded, what they meant in their heyday, and how they reflect an era’s culture and attitude. Expect quick snapshots of each phrase, its vibe, and why it disappeared from everyday speech.
Gnarly
You used “gnarly” to call something extreme — either impressively cool or totally messed up.
It came from surf and skate culture and popped into mainstream speech in the ’80s through movies and TV.
You might hear it praise a crazy trick or complain about a nasty wipeout.
Today people mostly say “rad” or “awesome,” so “gnarly” sounds vintage when you use it.
Totally tubular
You probably said “totally tubular” when something felt perfect or just plain awesome.
The phrase rode in from surf and skate culture and spread into malls, movies, and everyday chatter.
Using it made you sound relaxed and in-the-know, especially among teens.
By the 90s it faded as new slang took over, though you still hear it in retro throwbacks.
Eat my shorts!
You heard this from kids who wanted to sound defiant, especially after Bart Simpson made it famous.
You used it as a playful insult to brush off authority or a rival without getting serious.
By the 2000s it faded from regular use, but you still spot it in retro references and nostalgic jokes.
It works best when you want a light, cheeky comeback rather than a real burn.
My bad
You probably said “my bad” after a small slip—bumping someone or missing a detail.
It felt informal and quick, a casual way to own up without making a scene.
Today you rarely hear teens use it the same way; it sounds a bit dated.
You might choose a different apology now, but “my bad” still pops up sometimes in nostalgic or playful settings.
Bogus
You probably heard “bogus” everywhere in the ’80s when something was unfair or lame.
It fit skate parks, school hallways, and TV catchphrases without sounding serious.
Now you’d more likely call something “fake” or “lame” instead.
Using “bogus” today sounds deliberately retro, not spontaneous.
Rad
You said “rad” for anything that impressed you: a trick, a song, or a new jacket.
It felt casual and instant — short praise that carried skate‑park cool.
Today you’d more likely say “awesome” or “sick,” so “rad” sounds distinctly 80s.
Using it now instantly signals retro vibe or playful nostalgia.
Take a chill pill
You’d say this when someone was overreacting or getting stressed.
It meant “relax” in a playful, slightly sarcastic way.
By the 2000s the phrase sounded dated and insensitive to mental health concerns.
Now people usually tell each other to calm down with milder or more specific language.
Fresh
You probably said “fresh” to mean something cool or impressive back then.
Kids today rarely use it that way; “fresh” now tends to describe food or a vibe, not street cred.
If you try it now, you might get a puzzled look.
That simple shift shows how fast slang drifts away.
Dudes and dudettes
You probably greeted friends with “dude” or “dudette” without thinking twice.
Those words felt casual and playful, perfect for skating, surf, or mall hangouts.
You might still hear “dude” today, but “dudette” nearly vanished.
Using them now can sound intentionally retro or tongue-in-cheek.
Like, totally
You probably said “like, totally” a dozen times a day in the ’80s to agree or add emphasis.
It came from Valley Girl speech and spread into pop culture via movies and TV.
Now it sounds dated and clunky, so you’re more likely to say “definitely” or “for sure.”
Still, hearing it can instantly transport you back to mall hangouts and mixtapes.
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