Every decade is marked with buzzwords. These buzzwords define the generation, the era, the mindset of the times. They reflect pop culture, the political scene, the attitude and the feeling of the decade in which they are originated.
Hey, side note: Did you know that the word “buzzword” began being used in 1946? (Thanks, Wikipedia). Anyway, my point is this: each generation has its own words, its own phrases that aptly illustrate its own flavor.
The 40s had fathead, “Hi, sugar, are you rationed?” (translation – are you single?), stompers (shoes), flip your wig, lettuce (money), pass the buck, and gas (something or someone funny). The 50s coined bread, chicks, cats, cool, dig, daddy-o, hep, pad, scene and split. The 60s created groovy, The Man, hippie, right on, far out, ape, ankle biters (kids), boss, brew, downer, drag and scratch (money).
The 70s had the skinny, psych, in your face, catch you on the flip side, chill out, get down, boogie, bummer, cool beans, dude and dudette, funky, gross and heavy.
Some of the 80s buzzwords were airhead, amped, bangin’ (spectacular), down (in agreement with), fave, glam, goth, in the mix, jam, posse, sick, spazz, wannabe and trippin’. The 90s had ‘sup (what’s up), aiight (alright), as if, the bomb, boo yah, FYI, getting jiggy, it’s go time, slammin’, punk’d, shady, hater and talk to the hand.
Y2K produced such gems as newbie, sweet, peeps, bromance, whatev and meh. Our present decade has produced a few good ones, such as hashtag, YOLO (you only live once), hipster and selfie.
But the one word that clearly defines the current generation, the current attitude, the prevailing mood of the country is… wait for it… offended. Yes, the word “offended,” in every form. That is the latest buzzword, folks. Why? Because everyone is always offended. The US of A is suffering from an acute and terminal case of Offenditis.
Now I admit that there are things that are truly offensive out there. It would be wrong not to be offended at some of these things. But our country has taken it a bit too far nowadays. Being offended has become a national pastime, right up there with going to the beach, eating apple pie, and watching baseball in the summer.
This phenomenon started with people realizing that, hey, I have a voice, I have an opinion, I have a Youtube account and a Facebook page and an Instagram account and a Twitter account and I am gonna broadcast my voice all over the place.
Now I have no problem with people protesting certain things. Certain things need protesting. But some of the stuff that people get offended at help no one, do not change a darn thing, and are downright annoying. Come to think of it, I am offended by the people who are offended at everything.
For example, blonde jokes. I am blonde. I know that I am not stupid or gullible (most of the time); therefore I am not offended at blonde jokes. But some people are. Some people take the blonde joke personally and get all riled up about it. Why?
Another one: Christmas. If you celebrate Christmas, then wish people a Merry Christmas and celebrate with gusto. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, then don’t wish people a Merry Christmas and by all means, don’t celebrate with gusto. There are people offended by a Christmas tree. It’s a tree! With lights on it. It’s not a symbol of hatred or meanness. It’s a tree. Lighten up.
I don’t watch NBA basketball, but I do not get offended at people who wear NBA t-shirts or jerseys. I don’t speak Spanish, but I don’t get offended when someone speaks it in front of me.
Of course it doesn’t help that our presidential candidates are acting like a bunch of schoolyard babies. Talk about offensive! But I won’t delve into politics. It offends me.
I think we all need to relax. Stop looking for the bad, the negative, the offensive, and look for the good, the positive, the stuff that doesn’t hurt anyone.
The only cure for Offenditis is to stop looking for stuff to whine about and put all that energy into positive change. And delete your social media accounts, please.
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