Wordsmith.org: the magic of words

Wordsmith Talk

About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us  

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#128849 05/28/2004 2:46 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
this is hella new to me:

hella, adv. (and a.)
NEW EDITION: draft entry Dec. 2002
N. Amer. slang.

Very, exceedingly; in an extraordinary or impressive manner. Also occas. as adj.: much, a lot of.

1987 Toronto Star 11 Apr. M2/4 He released the catch on his reel which began to whir like a movie camera as the horse went hella whoopin' down the trail, trailing 50 feet or more of the best Berkley Trilene Monofilament line. 1989 Life (Nexis) July 24 He's hella-fine. 1991 E. CURRIE Dope & Trouble II. vii. 162 There's a lot of people out there that are hella smart, they could be something in life. 1994 RIP June 43/2 You'll read and see what happened at another of our unprecedented, skull-crushing, ear-aching, stage-diving, hella-cool extravanganzas [sic]. 2001 Orange County Reg. (Santa Ana, Calif.) (Nexis) 28 Dec. 22 Come on! That's hella funny!



#128850 05/28/2004 3:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
I've wondered if it came from hellacious.





formerly known as etaoin...
#128851 05/28/2004 3:28 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
[Origin uncertain; perh. shortened < HELLUVA n. Cf. HELLACIOUS a., HELLISH..]


#128852 05/28/2004 4:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
thanks for not sneaking that in to your first post...



formerly known as etaoin...
#128853 05/28/2004 4:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
veteran
veteran
Offline
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,475
I heard kids using it in the early '90s. The younger ones also said hecka.


#128854 06/03/2004 1:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
So, if the kids had been joyfully imbibing the cup that cheers and then said, "That's hecka tea!" would they be implying that it was a witches brew?


#128855 06/03/2004 2:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
That's a good one, but don't let it go to your head. Rest on your laurels.


#128856 06/03/2004 2:46 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
wiccad good, Rhuby.



formerly known as etaoin...
#128857 06/03/2004 3:00 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
See? Now y'all're stating to edge off into throwing bad puns after good.


#128858 06/03/2004 3:10 PM
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
>stating to edge off

and we can't let any wiccad typos go unpunished.


#128859 06/03/2004 3:25 PM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Uh-huh


#128860 06/03/2004 3:34 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,210
I guess I can't spell...



formerly known as etaoin...
#128861 06/04/2004 11:10 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Rest on your laurels.

OK Faldage, I'll stick to the hardy annuals.


#128862 06/05/2004 5:42 AM
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Offline
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
I have a question concerning this expression. Laurel leaves are very hard so why would resting on them come to mean relaxing or coasting on former accomplishments? There must be a step I'm missing.


#128863 06/06/2004 12:40 AM
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Laurel leaf wreaths were awarded to victors in ancient Greek contests.


#128864 06/08/2004 7:34 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
Pooh-Bah
Offline
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
And, I think, it is not one's body that one rests, but ones reputation.



Moderated by  Jackie 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site. Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.

Home | Today's Word | Yesterday's Word | Subscribe | FAQ | Archives | Search | Feedback
Wordsmith Talk | Wordsmith Chat

© 1994-2025 Wordsmith

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0