rad (1977, 1978)

[Benjamin Zimmer]

rad = 'cool, radical' (OED/MWCD11 1982)

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Los Angeles Times, Sep 18, 1977, (Orange County) p. IX10/2
Rad -- Short for radical. Radical skaters are those who try new and often
dangerous stunts.
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=309&VName=HNP&did=654000192
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Los Angeles Times, Sep 21, 1978, p. IV16/1
Radical: Getting crazy on your board; attempting something that's
difficult, such as riding vertical.
Rad: Synonym for "Radical" -- more commonly used than Radical. [...]
Gnarly: Crazy, like Rad; used for outstanding daring feats or outstanding
wipe-outs. [...]
Shredding: When a skater is "hot"; when he is "ripping it up" with Rad moves.
http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=309&VName=HNP&did=651438682
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(Both articles are compilations of skateboarding slang.)


--Ben Zimmer