Groovy, far out advice for over-40s

Struggling to keep up with the latest cool words of the younger generation? Constantly asking for translations? This article will help! writes Gary Martin

WITHOUT a doubt, growing older brings with it a challenge or two.

You run the risk of coming across as politically incorrect, regularly fall asleep in front of the TV and you find it difficult to decipher the slanguage used by the younger generation.

Keeping on top of the latest “cool” words has always been a challenge but thanks to the internet fuelling the biggest turnover in slang we have ever witnessed, it’s getting even harder.

If you are in the 40-plus age bracket, you are probably “freaking out to the max” at the thought of having to keep up with the explosion of linguistic treasures washing through your daily life, to remain the “fab” person you have always been.

How can someone in a bad mood be described as being “salty”, a sporting gun labelled as a GOAT (the greatest of all time), something trending fast considered to be “quiche”, an attention-seeking individual described as “thirsty” and a truly amazing person heralded as “lit”?

It is very hard for the average person over 40 “to dig that, right”?

Remaining “cool” as you grow older starts with coming to grips with the fact there are good reasons why older Australians will never fully understand those everyday terms used by the younger generation: younger people do not want them to understand.

It follows then that those in an older generation should never consider trying to appear “with it” by pretending to be familiar with the slang of a younger age cohort.

There could be nothing worse than hearing a 50something person fronting the workplace on a Monday morning and telling younger colleagues they spent the weekend dancing to “bangers” (great music tracking), did some “vibing” (relaxing) or saw a movie that was “fire” (brilliant).

Attempts to “get down” (relate) with members of the younger generation will always come across as odd and inappropriate and simply reinforce an intergenerational divide.

Staying “awesome” is also about moving on from the old school idea that slang is a sign of poor breeding or taste. That is a tad too “judgy” in this modern era.

And if you are old enough to need to ask the meaning of one of the many and varied turns of phrase used by the younger generation, then you just do not need to know.

While you might regret the demise of your favourite expressions, there is no need to retire the likes of “groovy”, “gravy” or “grouse” just yet – as long as you use them with those in your own age bracket.

Responses to that bit of news will vary from the delighted “stoked” to the accommodating “no sweat” to the surprised “no way Jose” to just “buzz off”.

Whatever your response, “back at ya” and “check ya later”.