Gen X Slang: Yuppie, Bogus, Cool Beans and More

Telling someone to "take a chill pill" was the Gen X way to say relax or stop expressing anger. It embodied the generation’s laid-back vibe and reluctance to get too worked up about anything.

This cheerful phrase was a go-to for expressing approval in a positive context. Saying "cool beans" meant something was awesome, fine by you, or a plan worth keeping.

Bogus was the catch-all term for anything lame, uncool, or just plain wrong. Prime examples include a bad grade, a canceled concert, or getting grounded for no reason.

Borrowed from surfing culture, gnarly could describe something incredibly cool — or incredibly intense. Like many Gen X words, its meaning depended on tone, making it versatile in both fun and negative contexts.

An all-purpose term, "dude" was a gender-neutral way to refer to any person. Whether you were hyped about a band or acting upset, "dude" was how Gen Xers connected and showed emphasis.

Short for "young urban professional," a yuppie was someone ambitious, materialistic, and career-focused. Often said with a side-eye, this derogatory term reflected Gen X's skepticism of capitalism and status-chasing.

A hallmark of Valley Girl speak, this phrase added drama to disgust. Whether responding to an embarrassing situation or a bad romantic relationship, "gag me with a spoon" was pure Gen X sass.

To say something or someone rocks was to express excitement and admiration. It was a staple for Gen Xers who loved heavy metal music or just wanted to give props in a casual way.

Dismissive and dripping with attitude, "talk to the hand" let you shut down a conversation without saying much. Often paired with a hand gesture, it was a way to show you were bothered or done.

This phrase was used to trick someone, then pull the rug out with a sarcastic witty comeback. It was part of a playful, edgy Gen X humor that felt like an inside joke among close friends.

Though the word "basic" became more popular with Millennials, Gen X used similar insults for people who lacked originality. They might say someone was a poser, a fool, or just bogus.

Few phrases captured Gen X culture better than this casual dismissal. "Ugh, whatever" meant you weren’t impressed, didn’t care, or were pretending not to care — a verbal shrug that became iconic.

A simple yet powerful slang term, "word" was borrowed from hip-hop and used to affirm agreement or express admiration. It was a way to say, "I hear you," "That’s true," or "You nailed it."

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.