I’m with it. I’m hip.
I was thinking about the word “hip” (as you do), and about the irony of such a decidedly unfashionable word for what the dictionary defines as “familiar with or informed about the latest ideas, styles, developments, etc.”
I’m not quite sure when exactly “hip” became a word your parents use to refer to something they don’t understand or recognize, but I’d like to think that the tipping point was Dr. Evil’s outcry in Austin Powers (”I’m with it. I’m hip. Tucka, Tucka, Tucka…Huhhhhh. Well don’t look at me like I’m freakin’ Frankenstein, give your father a hug.”).
The reality is probably a little more mundane. Words go in and out of fashion, and it’s hard to predict what will happen. I am personally amazed at the longevity of the word “cool.” How is it still ok to say that? Paris Hilton brought “That’s hot” back, so there’s one easy explanation, at least.
Other words have shorter seasons. The New York Times recently published a fantastic article about the buzzwords of 2008 – I bet “Caribou Barbie” is already forgotten, but words like “fail” and “staycation” are probably here to stay, for better or worse.
Back to “hip” though, and why I’m thinking about it (because I feel like I owe you an explanation). I always cringe when I see the programming summary that Comcast uses for The Daily Show: “Jon Stewart’s hip, irreverent skewering of the news and pop culture.” It bothers me because while irreverent is a perfect word to describe the show (”satirical, critical of what is generally accepted or respected”), hip is such a death sentence for coolness.
What other words for “cool” fell out of fashion? Am I missing anything?
Dave on July 13th, 2009
Let’s face it ‘cool’ will never fall out of fashion, it IS the coolest word and will always be. Well for a while anyway!