To establish my credentials for writing about hippie lingo of the 1960's, I present into evidence this photo of me that dates from the late 60's during my yoga phase, which followed my psychedelic phase. It was taken (unposed, I should add) by a friend from my childhood home who had sponsored a gathering where I led a group in some yoga postures and meditation.
To add to my hippie credentials, I wish to point out that I went to college from 1966-71 at what I liked to call the "Stanford of the South Bay," San Jose State College, so I was in the San Francisco Bay Area at the height of the Flower Power era in Haight-Ashbury, Berkeley, and points south.
(I also should point out that anyone who believed that San Jose State was in any way comparable to Stanford was as high as I was for much of my college years.)
Last Tuesday I was grocery shopping at the South Salem Fred Meyer when I needed assistance with coupons from the young woman working in the self-check-out lane, who appeared to be in her 20s.
Can't be sure, because at my age (76) almost everybody looks young to me. I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from asking my primary care provider how she can have the job she does when it looks like she just graduated from high school.
After successfully getting my coupons to register, the woman said "right on." When I left the self-check-out lane with my groceries, I stopped to tell her, "Thanks for keeping right on alive. I didn't figure that someone your age would use that term." She said, "I grew up with hippie words thanks to my parents."
That got me to thinking about how many expressions in use today, or at least in use by many people today, were born in the hippie era of the 1960s and 1970s. Google AI did a pretty good job when I searched for "hippie lexicon."
Groovy: A broad term to describe something fantastic, cool, or excellent. It also conveyed a sense of harmonious rhythm.
Far out: Used to describe something amazing, unconventional, or even otherworldly.
Outta sight: Similar to "far out," expressing something exceptionally cool or amazing.
Right on: An expression of agreement or affirmation, similar to "okay" or "yes".
Peace: A core value and a common greeting, reflecting the movement's emphasis on non-violence and harmony.
Dig: To understand or appreciate something. "Can you dig it?" meant "Do you understand?" or "Are you on board?".
Bummer: An expression of disappointment or a negative situation.
Don't flip your wig: A phrase meaning "don't get upset".
Downer: Something that is depressing or disappointing, often linked to drug culture where "uppers" were stimulants and "downers" were tranquilizers.
Words Related to Consciousness and Experience:
Trip: A profound or thrilling experience, and also used to describe the effects of hallucinogenic drugs.
Turn on, tune in, drop out: A famous phrase by Timothy Leary, encouraging individuals to embrace new experiences, become aware, and detach from mainstream society.
Freak out: To lose control or go crazy, often in response to intense experiences or situations.
Words Related to Society and Conformity:
Fuzz: Slang for the police.
Cop out: To avoid responsibility or obligations.
Plastic people: A derogatory term for people who were seen as shallow or conforming to societal norms.
Rip-off: A term for something that is unfair or exploitative.
Other Notable Terms:
Flower power: A symbol of the hippie movement, emphasizing peace, love, and nature.
Earth First!: A radical environmental group known for direct action tactics.
Bogart: To selfishly take or hoard something.
Swacked: High on drugs or alcohol.
Neato: A synonym for "awesome" or "cool".
Influence and Legacy:
Many of these words and phrases have become part of mainstream language, demonstrating the enduring impact of the hippie movement and its unique vocabulary. The movement's emphasis on peace, love, and individual expression continues to resonate with many people today.
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Groovy post Brian. Thanks! “Plastic People” was a 1971 song by Frank Zappa. “Plastic people, oh baby now you’re such a drag.” “Such a drag” needs to go on the lingo list. Male hippies also said “man” a lot when conversing with another male — as in “hey man” “oh man” “but man.” We should start doing that again man.
You look very handsome. I think Hippie words, attire, jewelry, and so many earthy views are great.
Although, I am in a mixed bag of sorts, and not always in the Hippy mode-it is still quite appealing.
I think the connection with the planet(s), and earth plants is really a natural flow of life.
Thank you.
Ha! That was so groovy to read. Thanks! Only one I hadn’t heard of was “swacked”. We said “wasted”.