douchebag, n. A reprehensible person.
downsize, v. To lay off employees.
duh, exp. That is dumb.
dump on, v. To criticize someone.
dweeb, n. A person who is socially inept.
earthbound, adj. Traditional or old-fashioned.
Eat my shorts, exp. A retort to criticism.
ecstasy, n. The street name for the psychedelic drug
methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or MDMA.
ESPN, n. The acronym for Entertainment and Sports
Programming Network.
evil empire, n. A term used by President Ronald Rea-
gan to describe the Soviet Union.
family values, n. The so-called moral compass of a
society, often used to promote a conservative or
traditional ideology.
Farm Aid, n. A charity concert held for the benefit of
American farmers.
Five-O, n. A police officer.
for sureorfer sure, exp. Of course.
fresh, adj. Something very new.
frosted, adj. Mad or angry.
Gag me with a spoon, exp. That is disgusting.
gangbanger, n. An active member of a street gang.
gear, n. Clothes.
geek, n. A person who is not cool or socially popular.
Generation X, n. A generation that began to have in-
fluence on popular culture during the 1980’s.
genetic fingerprinting, n. The ability to distinguish
one individual from another through the scien-
tific testing of the individuals’ deoxyribonucleic
acid (DNA).
Get bent, exp. Go away.
Get with the program, exp. To do what is considered
proper.
glasnost, n. A Russian term employed by Soviet
leader Mikhail Gorbachev that means “openness.”
go postal, v. To go crazy.
Great Communicator, n. Used as a term of respect
for the communication skills of President Ronald
Reagan.
grody to the max, adj. Very disgusting.
hacker, n. A person who is very good at using com-
puters.
hair band, n. A hard rock band in which the mem-
bers of the band have long frizzy hair.
hardcore, n. A loud, rebellious, and aggressive form
of punk music.
have a cow, v. To get upset.
hellacious, adj. Stupendous.
high-five, v. To slap the palm of someone else with
your palm when it is stretched above the head.
HIV, n. The acronym for human immunodeficiency
virus.
homeboy, n. A good friend.
hoops, n. Basketball.
hoser, n. A person who is considered irritating or
without any redeeming qualities.
house, n. A type of dance music played at warehouse
parties.I’m so sure, exp. A statement of sarcastic disbelief.
in a New York minute, adv. Happening with speed.
infomercial, n. A television informational program
that is really no more than a lengthy paid adver-
tisement for a product.
issues, n. Problems.JAP, n. The acronym for Jewish American Prin-
cess.
Jarvik-7, n. An artificial heart designed by Dr. Robert
K. Jarvik.
joanie, n. A girl who is considered to be awkward or
boring.
Just Say No, exp. A slogan initiated by First Lady
Nancy Reagan to encourage individuals to avoid
getting involved with illegal drugs.kegger, n. A beer party.
kickass, adj. Outstanding.
killer, adj. Outstanding.
Kiss my grits, exp. Another way of saying “kiss my
ass.”
kryptonite, n. A definite weakness.lame, adj. Of disappointing quality.
laptop, n. A portable personal computer.
like, exp. Used as an interjection, “like” serves as a
meaningless word when repeated many times in
casual speech.
liposuction, n. A surgical procedure by which fat is
sucked out of a patient.
Live Aid, n. A charity rock concert held for the pur-
pose of raising money for famine-ravaged Ethi-
opia.1166 Glossary The Eighties in America