What does gnarly mean slang

Zog's Sex Wax. The origin and meaning of the word "gnarly" July 17, Surfing. The word "gnarly" is one of the most commonly used expressions in surf slang. However, you might also have witnessed it being used in a derogatory way.

The Origins of the Word Etymologists believe that the expression originates from the word "gnarled," which means knobbly, rough, and twisted, especially with age.

So, interestingly, "gnarly" evolved from something that is twisted to the epitome of cool. The Adoption by Surf Culture According to historians, California surf culture adopted the term in the s and s, and it spread throughout other anglophone nations such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Positive and Negative Connotations The word "gnarly" can be used with both derogatory and negative connotations. So, in a way, "gnarly" is a rare example of words with ambivalent signification. After a spike in use , the expression's popularity nearly went down the drain. However, the surfers' synonym for cool and treacherous grew exponentially in the early s. Share this article. Share on Facebook.

Share on Twitter. Share on Linkedin. Share on Reddit. Latest surfing news How to improve your duck dive technique in 4 simple steps. What is a tropical storm? Top Stories Surfing How to improve your duck dive technique in 4 simple steps. My conversation with the Google employee who told me about the penalty starts dropping August That trick on your skateboard was gnarly!

That party was so gnarly I knew the police would show up. Wow those waves the boys were hitting were gnarly! Yeah ha ha, gnarly , dude! Those shoes were so gnarly. See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun. Share Tweet E-mail. R Related words. Usage Vulgarity SlangMap. Most vulgar Your vote: None To vote, click the pepper.

JavaScript must be enabled to vote. Most vulgar Where is this slang used? All Rights Reserved. Add a definition for this slang term. More info :. Interactive stats :. Other terms relating to ' dangerous ':. And can they be used interchangeably? Turns out, sometimes. Words related to gnarly boss , fine , great , hairy , keen , magnificent , marvelous , neat , nifty , sensational , superb , swell , wonderful. How to use gnarly in a sentence Expect anything from firm, packed roads to gnarly switchbacks on narrow trails.

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