I take this new addition to our language personally. A perceptive teenager started using this word back in 2013. It was intended to describe people who “were slightly off trend.” There was no word that described the condition accurately, so she made up the word. Pronounced chew-gee the word went viral on Tik Tok this spring. The top definition of chuegy is the opposite of trendy. Stylish at some point in the past – but no longer in style. The word may refer to fashion, habits, using of slang or food choices. The New York Times article comments, “You know it when you see it.”
Cheugy has a slightly negative connotation, but from reading the available details, nearly everyone is cheugy at times and I know for sure I have a lot of cheugy stuff in my closet. Does it help you understand if I let you know that lasagna is considered to be off trend? Linguists tell us that these words come and go, saying something is cool today is cheugy and use of groovy is a dead give away. I am thinking the classic male ego combover is cheugy and unlikely to come back into style. At the same time, those wide ties that were a sure sign “I did not get it” may make a come back and save me from cheugy-ness. What would we do without social media?
I spent a bit of time looking at other new words, phrases or abbreviations that will keep me current. Turns out I have a lot of work to do. I will mention a few. SMH – shake my head is an often used social media abbreviation. It is my reaction every time I read about the Idaho Legislature. Amirite – no it is not a precious stone found in the wilderness, it is a clever way to ask someone to agree with you – Am I right? Empty suit – a prominent person who lacks substance, personality, integrity, honesty, or ability. I had a customer who called this affliction “big hat-no cattle”. We should stop electing these people. And the catch phrase for the craziness we are seeing across the country in regard to the big lie – “Hate to see it”- meaning I cringe with disappointment.
I hope you do not become nomophobic, having fear or worry at the idea of being without your cell phone. I just got it, no-mo-phone, clever. I have an Apple Watch that does everything I can do on my phone, my daughter is doing all she can keep me current.
Thank you for wearing your mask, getting your vaccination, and participating in Idaho Gives this week.
Mike