Macintosh, n. A personal computer manufactured
by Apple.
major, adj. Extremely good.
Make me barf, exp. Stating displeasure with a situa-
tion.
Make my day, exp. Telling someone to go ahead and
do what they were going to do, with the under-
standing that they will then suffer the conse-
quences for their actions.
mall chick, n. A girl who likes to spend many hours at
the mall.
max out, v. Take to the limit.
Me Generation, n. A generation that is preoccupied
with the self.
moonies, n. The religious followers of the Reverend
Sun Myung Moon.
moonwalk, n. A backsliding dance move made popu-
lar by Michael Jackson.
MS-DOS, n. The acronym for Microsoft disk operat-
ing system.
MTV, n. The acronym for Music Television.
neoexpressionism, n. An art movement that pro-
moted bold figurative painting.
new wave, n. A music genre that emphasized a pop
sound through the use of synthesizers.
no way, adv. Definitely not going to happen.
nuke, v. To heat something in the microwave.
NutraSweet, n. A popular artificial sweetener.
oink, n. The acronym for one income, no kids.
out to lunch, adj. Crazy.
Pac-Man, n. A popular video game.
PC, n. The acronym for both personal computer
and political correctness.
perestroika, n. A Russian term associated with Soviet
leader Mikhail Gorbachev that means “recon-
struction.”
perp, n. A criminal.
PMRC, n. The acronym for Parents’ Music Resource
Coalition.
poser, n. Someone pretending to be something that
they are not.
pound, v. To drink to an extreme.
preppie, n. Someone who acts superior to others.
Prozac, n. An antidepressant drug prescribed for a
variety of psychological disorders.
ralph, v. To vomit.
Reaganomics, n. The term used to describe Presi-
dent Ronald Reagan’s free market economic poli-
cies.
real, v. Excellent.
Rogaine, n. The brand name for minoxidil, which is
used as a topical drug for the treatment of male
pattern baldness.
rollerblades, n. A style of roller skates, also known as
inline skates.
RU-486, n. The commonly used name for the syn-
thetic compound mifepristone, which is used for
the medical termination of early intrauterine
pregnancy.
Rubik’s cube, n. A popular mechanical puzzle.
rule, v. To be amazing.
rush, n. A stimulating experience.
Rust Belt, n. A term used to describe the manufac-
turing region of the United States, as so many of
these companies went out of business.safe sex, n. A set of practices employed by persons
engaging in sexual activity in order to protect
themselves against sexually transmitted diseases
(STDs).
scope, v. To examine closely.
scumbag, n. A disgusting person.
Shit happens, exp. Bad things or problems are always
going to pop up in one’s life.
Shop ’til you drop, exp. Shopping until one can no
longer physically shop anymore.
ska, n. A musical style strongly influenced by reggae.
slam dancing, n. A dance form whereby participants
literally crash into one another.
space cadet, n. Someone who is out of touch with re-
ality.
space shuttle, n. A reusable spacecraft used to trans-
port people into space.
Speedos, n. A pair of men’s swimming trunks that fit
snugly.
stagflation, n. The combination of stagnating eco-
nomic growth and rising prices.
Star Wars, n. The common name for the Strategic
Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed by President
Ronald Reagan.
stoked, adj. Excited.
suck face, v. To French kiss.
sucks, v. To be not up to the job or occasion.
sweet, adj. Very nice.The Eighties in America Glossary 1167