Is "Bitchin'!" still in the current lexicon?

[MrPixel]

I need to poll the AH jury to see if I have this one or not.

I'm writing dialog among relatively rural-ish 20-something males, and have a scene where "Bitchin'!" seems appropriate. But that's my 1960's familiarity, when it came into common use and had a bit of shock value. I think it has sort of hung on with hot-rod enthusiasts and performance car nuts in general. I checked for it on urbandictionary.com, and it's definitely there with multiple entries, but most of those posts seem to be several years old.

The story is present day, so I have to wonder - is "Bitchin'!" relatively timeless? I have observed that each generation cohort has their own exclamatory word or phrase - who among us remembers "groovy"? - but most of those almost immediately date the context.

 

[Bamagan]

I don't think it's very common, and probably wouldn't be used casually or habitually. But certain people (myself included) occasionally get fond of out-of-vogue slang and use it regularly. If you've got one person saying it, I think most readers would simply assume that person is a little weird for his peer group. It probably only strains credulity if most or all of them are using it (unless perhaps they're teasing or mocking the black sheep of the crowd).

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

I guess it probably depends on the region? But I don't think it's used very commonly by gen zers except ironically or whimsically.

Equivalent to "that's bitchin" would probably be
"That's lit", "that's fire" or "that slaps". "dope" is also still in common usage.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

It would be unlikely in the UK, except possibly from an urban/black guy aping what he thinks is American, but it would also be comprehensible as meaning good (ditto lit or slaps, which might be used here).

I might be unsure whether dope is good or bad. Not heard 'that's fire' but I could guess it's good.

 

[MrPixel]

But certain people (myself included) occasionally get fond of out-of-vogue slang and use it regularly. If you've got one person saying it, I think most readers would simply assume that person is a little weird for his peer group.

Ah. Good. That has me thinking of a probable scenario, though I wouldn't especially have to explain it. Somebody who watches a lot of streaming or YouTube of grizzled gearheads like Paul Teutul of American Chopper fame could conceivably adopt their mannerisms. So one person in the group could easily have this as a signature go-to, and have him - definitely a him - get razzed by others in the group over it.

Thanks, all.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

I think it was used more in the 80's. Though I'm sure some people still use it.

 

[SimonDoom]

It's a good question. I ask myself questions like these all the time when I'm writing about characters younger than myself.

Maybe a permanent "slang" thread would be useful.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

From my own 20 something experience, definitely not a common term, but it isn't some Grandpa Simpson "golly gee wilikers" thing.

If it fits the moment go for it.

 

[AllenWoody]

 

[soflabbwlvr]

No.

 

[JuanSeiszFitzHall]

I'm not a cultural linguist, nor have I played one on television (and I doubt that anyone ever has). But I've observed a few things. Much of American slang, since about 1900, arose from African-American communities. The extent to which slang terms worked into the general (that is, White) population had to do with whether hipness was considered a value by the speaker or the listeners.

Thus, I think the use of a recent slang term by a character in a story would have to be based on who the character is, and to what s/he responds in the culture. From the perspective of someone who is decades out of date, I think that a user of 'lit' or 'slaps' would be someone who values being thought of as in the mainstream of life today.

As for the actual question in this thread, 'bitchin'' is probably in a cultural backwater now, but in a non-urban American setting, could still be pretty common. It's interesting how some terms persist across generations. 'Cool' went mainstream after World War II, but held on (maybe?) to the present--as has 'hip' (to refer back to my own use of 'hipness' above).

 

[alohadave]

I have to wonder - is "Bitchin'!" relatively timeless

It's older slang, but it checks out.

 

[SimonDoom]

So, to my under 35 colleagues here:

If a friend your age said one of the following to you in conversation, how would it seem? Normal? Weird? "Why are they trying to sound like an old person?"

Boss

Cool

Rad

Fine

Groovy

Far out

Wicked (and it's variant "wicked pisser")

 

[Britva415]

is "Bitchin'!" relatively timeless?

Like... sure, in the same way that Fleetwood Mac is "relatively timeless." They're not on the Top 40 and very few people under 30 make a point of ever listening to them.

 

[Smuttyandfun]

So, to my under 35 colleagues here:

If a friend your age said one of the following to you in conversation, how would it seem? Normal? Weird? "Why are they trying to sound like an old person?"

Boss

Cool

Rad

Fine

Groovy

Far out

Wicked (and it's variant "wicked pisser")

Lots of people still say, "Cool!" But the rest, not so much.

 

[Jackie.Hikaru]

So, to my under 35 colleagues here:

If a friend your age said one of the following to you in conversation, how would it seem? Normal? Weird? "Why are they trying to sound like an old person?"

Boss

Cool

Rad

Fine

Groovy

Far out

Wicked (and it's variant "wicked pisser")

Do I count if I'm 36 or am I too old? lol

I use cool, rad, and fine.

 

[LonRivers]

"Bitchin'" I think is better suited as an expression among the Surfing community these days, if used at all. Not being a surfer, I would not be able to say for sure, and being 55 years old, I used the term back in the 80's.

If your character is maybe from the West Coast or has been around certain older people. he or she might find the expression useful or perfect for certain situations.

Throwing in certain phrases or words from time to time will cause a bit of nostalgia in your readers just as much as if you mention a popular band that the reader may have or still does listen to. It can bring your readers just a little more closer to your characters.

 

[lilshymynx]

So, to my under 35 colleagues here:

If a friend your age said one of the following to you in conversation, how would it seem? Normal? Weird? "Why are they trying to sound like an old person?"

Wicked (and it's variant "wicked pisser")

Like an average day in Maine.

 

[LonRivers]

So, to my under 35 colleagues here:

If a friend your age said one of the following to you in conversation, how would it seem? Normal? Weird? "Why are they trying to sound like an old person?"

Boss

Cool

Rad

Fine

Groovy

Far out

Wicked (and it's variant "wicked pisser")

I grew up in the 70's, and 80's. that shit is normal to me.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

It's older slang, but it checks out.

Star Wars Nerds are the worst...

 

[LonRivers]

Star Wars Nerds are the worst...

Oh god yes!! I love Star Wars, but damn those hardcore fans really annoy the shit out of me. Same think with Trekkies and Lord of the Rings fans. God bless them for the love they have for these franchises, but fuck off with them being your whole reason to live. Although, Klingon women...mmmm.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Oh god yes!! I love Star Wars, but damn those hardcore fans really annoy the shit out of me. Same think with Trekkies and Lord of the Rings fans. God bless them for the love they have for these franchises, but fuck off with them being your whole reason to live. Although, Klingon women...mmmm.

 

[LonRivers]

is that where he tells them to move out of their parents basement?? LOL

 

[AllenWoody]

is that where he tells them to move out of their parents basement?? LOL

“Have you ever even kissed a girl?”

 

[MyBareTorso]

It should be...so should the term "boss" as an adjective...