As if? Bringing 'passé' back, and other aging phrases
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/09/bringing-back-90s-phrases-passe/2067425/
Jayson Flores, USA TODAY College contributor
3:22p.m. EDT April 9, 2013
from USA Today
Digging through the metaphoric time capsule of words and to recover some wonderful, forgotten gems.
"Swag" and "YOLO" — two overused words in the everyday vocabulary of the average American youth.
The repetition and incessant usage of a term or phrase can make it stale and remove the entertainment value it once had, which caused us to incorporate it into our language in the first place. Nobody wants to hear "swag" or "YOLO" in every other sentence.
Like the old saying goes, everything in moderation.
We all want to have terms we can use that connect us to our friends, keep our language fresh and make our friends laugh or smile. I have dug up the metaphoric time capsule of words and have recovered some wonderful, forgotten gems. Not only can we use them, but maybe with continued usage we can revive some of these colorful terms and phrases.
1. Passé
The perfect term to start with is "passé," because it essentially refers to something that is outdated, or has lost its appeal. An example of usage would be, "American Idol is so passé." This term is a quick snippet that easily rolls off the tongue. Rather than saying something is "in" or "out," it is much more creative to say that something is passé.
For those that like to be on the cutting edge, this term is essential, because it can quickly communicate what has had its time in the spotlight and moved on.
2. All that and a bag of chips
Trying to find a synonym for the word "awesome" can be difficult sometimes, because it is a word we have all become so comfortable using. What "all that and a bag of chips" lacks in shortness it makes up for with pizzazz. An example of usage would be, "Not only does he look like Taylor Lautner, but he also gets A's in all of his classes. He is all that and a bag of chips."
Describing someone or something as "all that and a bag of chips" is like telling someone they are amazing and then some. This is not a phrase to be thrown around lightly and should only be used when it is deserved.
3. Dope
Once an immensely popular word, "dope" was a synonym for "awesome," "great" and "cool." An example of usage would be, "Are those jeans from the Kim Kardashian line? I've always wanted jeans with a lot of room in the rear. They are so dope." This word has been out of commission for a while now, so it could definitely come back with a vengeance.
4. Don't go there
"Don't go there" is a phrase that often follows a person challenging or questioning another about something touchy or private. Rather than getting hostile or following with a threat, it is much easier to just tell someone "Don't go there." It's short and sweet and gets the point across.
5. As if
Coined in the '90s and made famous by Clueless queen Cher Horowitz, "as if" was an incredibly popular phrase. Saying "as if" is similar to saying "yeah, right!" It is a sassy expression of disbelief at a proposed idea or assertion. If someone asked another if they were dating a fellow classmate that they had zero interest in, it would be appropriate to reply with "as if."
6. Hella
"Very" and "really" are two words are often overused in everyday conversation. People want to express the intensity or volume of daily sights, experiences and interactions, and these are the general go-to choices.
"Hella" can do the same job as "very" and "really" but also adds some flair to your sentence. An example of usage would be, "You ate the last cookie? My mom is going to be hella mad." This is a good option for keeping some diversity in your sentences.
Jayson Flores is a junior print communications major at Arcadia University. On campus Jayson is the campus news editor of The Tower and a contributor to Loco Magazine.
