😎 Cool
- Definition: Stylish, fashionable, clever. This slangy term expressing admiration dates from the early 1900s as an adjective and was popularized by black jazz musicians from the late 1940s. As an interjection it was then taken up by teenagers and then by the general population. Describing the plan for an assassination, a character in James Patterson’s London Bridges (2004) exclaimed, “Not only is this smart, it is cool as hell.”
Related and Similar Terms:
- Hip: Modern and trendy.
- Rad: Radical, outstandingly good.
- Groovy: Excellent, enjoyable, or fashionable.
- Stylish: Having a distinctive, smart look.
- Trendy: Very fashionable or up to date.
- Chic: Elegantly and stylishly fashionable.
- Swell: (Old-fashioned) Fashionable and up-to-date.
Synonyms:
- Hip
- Chic
- Trendy
- Swell
- Groovy
Antonyms:
- Unfashionable
- Dorky
- Outdated
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I am so hip, even my errors are correct.” —Nick Manconi
- “I dress for the image. Not for myself, not for the public, not for fashion, not for men.” —Marlene Dietrich
Proverbs:
- “Clothes make the man.”
- “You can’t judge a book by its cover, but you can definitely judge an outfit by its seams.”
Suggested Literature:
- “The Hipness Handbook” by Sean Michael Beyer: A guide to all things cool through the ages.
- “Cool Shades: The History and Meaning of Sunglasses” by Vanessa Brown: Explore the accessory that defines cool.
- “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: A classic cool tale of adolescent angst.
Suggested Songs:
- “Cool” by Gwen Stefani: A song celebrating being cool.
- “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees: Embodying cool with its timeless beat.
Suggested Movies:
- “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955): James Dean at his coolest.
- “Pulp Fiction” (1994): Cool characters, cool dialogue.
### Which of these phrases indicates something fashionable?
- [x] Cool as a cucumber
- [ ] Running like a fridge
- [ ] Speaking like a toaster
- [ ] Cool in a stew pot
> **Explanation:** "Cool as a cucumber" is a real phrase meaning extremely calm and composed or stylish.
### Which term was popularized by 1940s jazz musicians?
- [x] Cool
- [ ] Spicy
- [ ] Fiery
- [ ] Warm
> **Explanation:** "Cool" was popularized by black jazz musicians from the late 1940s and has since become a staple in the English language.
### True or False: 'Groovy' and 'Hip' are considered synonyms for 'Cool'.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Both "Groovy" and "Hip" are terms that are used to represent something fashionable and stylish, just as "Cool" does.
Farewell Thought: Stay curious, stay inspired, and… stay cool! 😎
