Gnarly started out in the 1970 surfer scene and is probably about as Californian as it gets. It actually means “twisted”, but it can be used to replace anything from “difficult”, to “challenging”, “cool”, “interesting” and “serious”.
Do Californians say gnarly?
“Gnarly” is used predominantly by surfers in California, but because I lived in Huntington Beach for a few years (also known as Surf City), I have heard it quite a bit. Gnarly is often used to describe good waves, and can also be used to describe something that is cool.
Where does the word gnarly come from?
The slang version of gnarly can be traced back to the 1970s, when surfers used it to describe a dangerous wave. By the 1980s, it spread, as teens used gnarly to mean both “excellent” and “disgusting.”
What are some California slang words?
General California slang
| Cali slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cruise | Come or leave |
| Mob | Come quickly |
| Dude | Gender neutral term of endearment |
| Butthurt | Extremely upset for no reason |
Is Gnarly a slang word?
The second most common use of gnarly is to mean “very difficult or bad.” It is used as slang. The context around the word will often show that it’s about something bad, as in this example about an accident: It looks like somebody had a gnarly accident.
Is hella a California thing?
“Hella emerged somewhere in Northern California around the late 1970s, and although it spread to other places, it’s still associated with this region,” says Nunberg.
When was the word gnarly created?
gnarly (adj.)
1600, from gnarl (see gnarled) + -y (2). Picked up 1970s as surfer slang to describe a dangerous wave; it had spread to teen slang by 1982, where it meant both “excellent” and “disgusting.”
Who first said gnarly?
According to historians, California surf culture adopted the term in the 1960s and 1970s, and it spread throughout other anglophone nations such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa. Some say it was uttered for the first time at a California surf break where Monterey cypress and Torrey pine grew.
What kind of word is gnarly?
adjective
adjective, gnarl·i·er, gnarl·i·est. twisted with or as if with gnarls or knots; gnarled: long and gnarly fingers. Slang. distasteful or distressing; offensive; gross: a comic noted for his gnarly humor.
Do Californians say dude?
3. “Dude” While this might seem like something everyone in California says, you’re far more likely to hear it as a term of endearment down South. Up North, I found that people would say “man” instead.
What makes a California accent?
A big factor that distinguishes California English is the California vowel shift, which is being led by young people. When vowels shift, it means a person is positioning their tongue in their mouth differently when pronouncing a specific vowel. And when one vowel starts to shift, usually others start to as well.
Is Bro California slang?
Southern California includes San Diego County, Orange County and Los Angeles County.
Surfer Slang.
| Slang Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| bro, brah or bruh | buddy | Hey brah, long time no see! |
| dope | very cool or good | That band is dope; I’d love to see them in concert! |
What’s a synonym for gnarly?
What is another word for gnarly?
| gnarled | knobbly |
|---|---|
| knotty | knobby |
| knotted | knurled |
| nodular | rugged |
| twisted | rough |
What is the opposite of gnarly?
What is the opposite of gnarled?
| straight | unbent |
|---|---|
| uncurled | untwisted |
| relaxed | separate |
| loose | free |
What does gnarly girl mean?
adj. 1 having gnarls. 2 (esp. of hands) rough, twisted, and weather-beaten in appearance. 3 perverse or ill-tempered.
What words do Californians say weird?
The 20 Funniest Californian Expressions (and How To Use Them)
- “The City” Bay Area locals don’t refer to San Francisco as Frisco, but rather “The City”.
- NorCal and SoCal.
- June Gloom.
- “That’s dank-ass.”
- “The Industry”
- “Don’t get so butthurt.”
- “Would you like a side of kale with that?”
- “Dude, I just caught some epic waves.”
Do Californians say yall?
California English, which is the defacto standard for broadcast purposes, follows the BBC model of using “you” for both singular and plural. Some people in Pennsylvania use “yinz” instead of “y’all”.
Is there a California accent?
In pop culture, it’s one of a few things: The long, slow drawl of the surfer, or how a valley girl ends her sentences, or the slang of East L.A. But c’mon, Californians don’t really have an accent or dialect.
Why do Californians say hella?
“Hella” What does it mean? Hella is not some cool way to say hello, it actually means “a lot”, “very” or “really” and is a surefire indicator that you are from northern California. Hella is derived from “hell of a (lot)”.
What do you call a Californian?
California. People who live in California are called Californians and Californiacs.
How do you say hi in LA?
How to say “hello”
- ¡Hola! Hi!
- Buenos días. Good morning.
- Buenas tardes. Good afternoon.
- Buenas noches. Good evening.