Comments on: Steven Pinker, like, I’m so sure!

By: Historiann

Historiann — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:57:41 +0000

Fer sure, trillwing!

By: trillwing

trillwing — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:14:30 +0000

Can I ride shotgun? Cause that would be tubular.

By: Indyanna

Indyanna — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:23:59 +0000

Moon Unit WHO? Frank Zappa’s kid, who was Psychedelic Sixties? Has anybody ever explained that collegian at Ohio State, I think it was, who at a Reagan campaign stop in 1984 was reported to have yelled out, unironically and approvingly, “Ron is Rad!”?! That was the day things bottomed out, I always thought.

By: Historiann

Historiann — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:31:25 +0000

Bitchin’ good historical point, Clio B.–thanks! (Or should I say, “thx?”)

By: Clio Bluestocking

Clio Bluestocking — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 00:15:37 +0000

Not to be pedantic, but I think I might have to dispute your dating on the term “bitchin’” By the time Moon Unit rattled it off, she was being retro. In American Graffiti, he blonde who looked like Connie Stevens used the term. That was a 1970s film depicting the early 1960s. In any case, “bitchin’” has not entered the youthful parlance of today. It would be, like, a total bitch to text, ya know? [insert winky happy face here].

By: Historiann

Historiann — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 21:29:00 +0000

Of course–”radical” was big in the 80s (and you still are, Rad!) “Wicked” was too–a New England variant of the more Californian “bitchin.”

Nicole, thanks for the link–sad to say, “gay” is not new as a schoolyard taunt or insult. We used it in the 1970s and 1980s too.

By: Rad readr

Rad readr — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:30:37 +0000

In the 70s we used bad. But in time, I came to favor “radical” (I think that was 80s too or maybe it was just my own little world)- Rad

By: nicole

nicole — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:19:22 +0000

The BBC did a more relevant article on the use of the word ‘gay’ in popular language among teens. As a teacher I’ve never heard a kid say bitchin’…and would likely laugh out loud if I did.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7289390.stm

By: Stuart

Stuart — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:44:58 +0000

Now that I think of it, wasn’t it a ‘79 Camaro that Spicoli trashed in the film?

…and You’ve got like a totally Bitchin’ Camaro.

By: Historiann

Historiann — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:32:41 +0000

Susan–yes, that’s my ride, and my boyfriend! And Stuart–a most excellent Fast Times reference–kudos.