Forums → The Tavern → Popular words and original meanings

This is somewhat off topic, but "terrific" originally meant "something that causes terror".

Idiot~~~

In ancient greek or latin it was idiotus, which meant non-voter.




Randomness is the way forward

I'm not talking about common words and what they used to mean..I'm talking about the popular lingo that seemingly pops out of nowhere and takes a word and gives it a new meaning that doesn't relate to its original meaning.

The three words I have now are Swag, Ratchet, and Icee..if that gives any help

Tweet, fresh, hip, sweet, sick, gnarly, sassy and tubular.

Nothing really comes to mind, considering this 'lingo that pops out of nowhere' is just that. Never really words before, completely new.

Might strike a nerve with some people, but you can't please everyone.

Gay. It originally used to mean happy, but everyone here knows what it means now.

Most of the current curse words are different from their original meanings.
B****: origianally a mother canine
D***: to condemn someone to hell.

a few examples are above, but probably not school appropriate.
Swagger has been shortened to swag, (which you already have and means something that hangs (e.g. a lei))

gay has switched from happy to homosexual.

that's all I have right now.

~~~Darth Caedus

I've got my list now...just 5 because it is a short article

Swag (new..the shortened version of swagger. Original..ornamental plant that hangs)

Icee/icy (New..to be cool or fresh...I think. Original..either the drink or the adjective)

Ratchet (New..when someone is "gross", essentially. Original..a mechanical device)

Tweet (New..to post something on Twitter. Original..sound a bird makes)

# (oh yeah..a twist! New...called the hashtag symbol, due primarily to Twitter. Originally called the pound symbol)

So yeah..this thread is now completely open to any words that have had their primary meanings changed

# (oh yeah..a twist! New...called the hashtag symbol, due primarily to Twitter. Originally called the pound symbol)

Heh heh.... Queer. it used to mean strange, but now it me - wait it's still the same thing. Master Debater... I'm so tired. This'll probably be flagged. Lolli used to mean sucker now it means LOL-y. I need a nap. Be back later.... ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....