❄️ Cool It: The Evolution of Chill Slang 🌬️
An exciting dive into the expression ’to calm down,’ tracing its linguistic journey from a slangy Americanism in the 1950s to a staple in today’s vernacular.
The Phrase: To Calm Down🌬️
Origins and Definitions: To calm down. This slangy Americanism emerged around 1950 and swiftly surged in popularity. It is thought to come from the usage of “cool” to mean calm and unflustered. In 1953, E. Gilbert wrote in Hot and Cool, “Cool it, girl. Nobody’s interested.”
- Synonyms: Relax, settle down, take it easy, chill out, compose oneself
- Antonyms: Agitate, rile up, stress out, freak out, lose one’s cool
- Similar Expressions: Stay calm, take a chill pill, keep it together, ease up
- Quotes:
- “Cool it, baby. We got this.” – said every laid-back movie hero ever.
- “Chillin’ was always considered an art form. Now it’s a survival tactic.” – Chill B. Wordsworth
📚 Recommended Literature, Poetry, and Books:
- The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Holden Caulfield could definitely use some cool-down techniques)
- Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (A funny yet intense exploration of keeping one’s cool in chaotic times)
🎬 Movies and Songs:
- Frozen – “Let It Go” (An anthem for cooling it and letting go)
- Dazed and Confused – A true wrap of ’70s coolness
- Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin – Because, take it easy!
Related Proverbs and Idioms:
- Keep one’s cool: To remain calm and composed.
“When everything is falling apart, those who thrive keep their cool.”
- Lose/blow one’s cool: To lose one’s composure in stressful situations.
“He really lost his cool when the project failed.”
Inspirational Farewell: Always remember, when the world around you is in turmoil, embracing the true essence of “cool it” can keep you as steady as a rock in a stormy sea. Keep calm and carry on! 🌟
-- Chill B. Wordsworth
