I finally ditched "savage" for "unhinged" and conversations got way better

So last week I was in a group chat and someone called a restaurant review "savage." I just kind of froze, because that word has been dead for like 3 years now, right? Then I realized I was still using it too, just out of habit. I swapped to "unhinged" for things that are chaotic funny, and "brutal" for stuff that's actually harsh, and people started reacting way more. It sounds small, but using words that match the current vibe makes you sound less like a dad trying to be cool, you know? I even caught myself saying "based" correctly for the first time in a work meeting, which felt risky but landed. Has anyone else noticed that sticking to older slang makes people assume you're out of touch, or is it just my circle? What's the word you're trying to retire this year?

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lane.cameron24d ago

Wait, is "savage" actually dead though, or did it just move to ironic use? I hear my younger coworkers say it all the time, but with this sarcastic tilt that makes it feel fresh again. I think the whole game of chasing the current slang just means you're always one step behind someone else's timeline, and that's exhausting. I'd rather say "that was rough" or "that guy's a menace" and let the words do the work instead of trying to prove I'm still plugged in.