dude Ted: Dude, are you sure we should be doing this? Bill: Ted, you and I have witnessed many things, but nothing as bodacious as what just happened. Besides, we told ourselves to listen to this guy... Ted: What if we were lying? Bill: Why would we lie to ourselves? --Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, 1989 Why would you lie to yourselves dude? Also dudes, where did the word dude come from? While Bill and Ted might not know the answer, we have a good idea right here. And, while the term "dude" might be associated with California and surfers in most people's minds, that's not where it came from. Though dude's exact origin is unknown, a first use appeared in 1883 to refer to a "fastidious man" (or a man really concerned with his appearance--one dressing in a "fancy" style). This might have to do with the fact that "dude" could be a variation of the word "dud" which, at the time, was slang for clothing (ever heard someone be complimented on her nice duds?). On a side note, the female equivalent for dude in the 1880s (and no, it was not the now familiar "dudette" or "dudie") were "dudine" and "dudess." Later, in the 1920s, the term evolved to describe a "city slicker"--most likely a man from the east coast who ended up on the west coast (for vacation, probably). Dude ranches were popular at the time, giving city dwellers a chance to live out the Wild West life. The familiar surfer slang usage was first recorded in 1970, but did not really gain in popularity until the 1980s. This surge in popularity is most likely attributed to the word being used in TV and film, for example, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and, more recently, Dude, Where's My Car? While dictionary.com defines the term dude as "a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming and manners" or as a "fellow; chap," dude is now used in a more gender-neutral fashion. It's not unlikely to hear a girl addressing her fellow girls as "dudes," such as "Hey, dude" or "Dude, what is wrong with you?" (The term "dudette"--used to refer to "female dudes"--though once popular in the '80s, has dropped from standard usage.) Currently, the word dude is used in a more universal definition of "friend or associate." When not referring to a person, the word dude can also be used to express awe, satisfaction, surprise, and possibly any emotion depending on tone and context (sad: duuuude, happy: dude!, confused: dude?).

Comments

[Harriet]

"Dude" is one of my favourite words! If I had a word count then "dude" would probably come up most often! I've used it ever since I watched Bill And Ted. I call everyone dude, whether they're a boy or a girl.

[StupidxGurl96]

what about dudette?
someone once bumped into me, and they were like 'sorry dudette' and ever since then i really like the word cos of the way they said it

[Rachaellllllthedudess]

I dont use the words "boys" or "men" I say dudes. Its an awesome word. So fun to say.

[jessigurl94]

Dude, dude is my favorit word haha

[Kylie]

I say dude in every sentence. I even call my teachers dude. They dnt really like tht. I call my bf dude. My email has dude in it!

[Neiha Lasharie]

I have a bad habit of saying dude all the time D:

[TAREN]

when i say dude i refer to my boyfriend....

[LOVEless]

dude!! ok, um, like so i shouold be doing homework but w.e. so yeah i call everyone dudes. ur a dude ima dude shes a dude hes a dude god is a dude my moms a dude even my cat is a dude. u are the only exception..not you...yeah you in the yellow shirt. u my friend arent a dude.

_Dude_

[Anim-chan]

Dude...?

Yeah, I like saying the word dude. Its simple yet fun. When I'm talking to my friends, I'll always said, "hey dude!" at the beginning..

Isn't dude means a guy? Like, a teenage guy? Well, I dunno either.. but I like to say that! DUDE! :)

[jay]

dude and dudettes is what my mom called my brothers and i when we were little

[G]

I call my friends dudes
They tell me they're girls not guys
So, you're all still dudes to me :D

[patty]

so dudes

[mrs.]

lol i say dude all the time

im a dude (im a girl)
my dogs a dude
were all dudes dudes

[Melanie]

my friend sez dude means 'female elephant with a hairy butt'. she is straaaange...

[Landi]

Dude like dude, you know dude? I THOUGHT DUDE MENT COOL GUY? Gosh language these day!(sigh)

[AWESOMENESS]

DUDES DUDES DUDES EVERYWHERE! DUDE IS THE KEWLEST WORD!

[Im a dude but im a chick]

Im a dude,hes a dude,shes a dude ,and were all dudes...Ay! I like dude and thats it I just like the word dude

[Chubbaca.]

Dude....I Say Dude All
The Time I Can't Help It.
I Call My Friend Who's A Chick
A Dude. Yep I Call Everyon A Dude.
I Used Dude Alot. So Yah Dude Can't
Help It. :]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

[waynebradyhater]

wayne brady is not a dude

[kelly]

DUDE!!!!!!TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!!lol

[C-Y]

yea, i usually say dude when i get ready to speak... like, wen i`m trying to make a point. or, i`ll just say it when someone does something dumb, i`ll just be like, "dude...." lol. I say it to whoever, whenever

[Jritta]

i say whatever dude 2 anybody no matter what they say dat is my phrase.

[kalicia]

i tried to use dude cus it sounded like a cool word and i felt like i didnt use it right ... so i stopped. haha well dude is a dude. ya kno, guy man male masculin? or just use dude as any kind of person ur talking to.

[JENNA]

we just say dude as in a male !
like lad buh sumtyms call alsses it as a frend

[Shannon]

Most People Will Say Dude Mean An Elephants Penis Or A Hair On A Whales Butt But No One Truely Knows! and Most Kids Just Use It As A Sentence Starter Or When They Don't Know Just Like lol Is Used When We Have No Clue What Else To Say...Dude Is Used Amongst All Genders,And Races! I Use It Just Because Its A Habit and I Sometimes Forget Peoples Names At First and Dude Help Prevent Admitting That!...