“It's Wicked Awesome”
“It's Wicked Awesome”
Ethan Munns
For The Clock
From New Hampshire to Vermont, Rhode Island to Massachusetts, and Connecticut to Maine, the word “wicked” is a cultural staple to the New England area. Anyone from around here more likely than not, grew up saying it.
A little background first, the word “wicked” in its dictionary definition means “evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous.” New England was the site of early Puritan development, the Puritans believed in demonology, which led to the start of the Salem witch trials. During the trials the Puritans were quick to point out those believed to be witches or demons plotting against the town. Anyone accused of being a witch was often associated with the word “wicked” being used as an adjective to describe his or her nature as evil and malicious.
Starting in the 19th century the English language had advanced, and the word “wicked” had changed along with it. In New England the adjective transformed itself into an adverb. For example the use of “awful” had been changed to the adverb “awfully” just as “wicked” adapted to mean “really” or “very.” “Wicked” has transformed into an intensifier word, and can be used in a positive or negative manor.
Those who grew up in New England, and have been here all their lives will completely understand the word’s usage, while tourists and those from outside of the New England area will be lost on the entire trend. Cassie Pearson, a New Hampshire resident from Brentwood, said: “wicked has just been such a huge part of my life. One time I was driving with my friend and her grandparents down to their house, and every time either of us said ‘wicked’ they would count up one, two, three etc. It’s just nobody says anything about it. It’s a natural part of where I come from.”
On the other end of the “wicked awesome” spectrum is Libby Barden, a New York native from Catskill. Barden said: “Growing up I never heard of ‘wicked’ before, you would think I would, being so close to New England. People from New York have our own slang. We say ‘mad,’ like we’re mad tight. A lot of our slang comes from New York City, and makes its way through the educational systems to the youth. I never heard about
‘wicked’ until I started coming here, and I was so thrown off because my professors would use it casually on the syllabi. I had to go around asking my peers about what exactly it meant for the first two weeks before fully picking up on it.”
Whether or not someone grew up with “wicked” or discovered it by being surrounded with the culture of New England, rest assured they will probably be saying it nonstop by the time Thanksgiving break rolls around.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
More theclockonline News Articles
- Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner
- Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel
- Ghost Hunt With PSU Paranormal Research Club
- Steve Irwin: How He Brought Us Together
Recent theclockonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THECLOCKONLINE
Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner By Rebecca Tgibedes
Will You? By Isabelle Elsasser
Summer in the Sunflowers By Emily Holleran
Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel By Justine Walsh
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THECLOCKONLINE NEWS
RECENT THECLOCKONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- Moving Resources For Military Families
- Historic Agreement Signed By Red Cross and Armed Forces
- Salonpas® Brand Stands the Test of Time
- Tips to “Yard Your Way” This Spring
- Upgraded Upstate Power Grid Will Deliver a Smarter,...
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Youth Apprenticeship Week Spotlights Opportunities
- New Expo Showcases AI Innovation
- Self-Care and Mental Health Tips for Caregivers
- Adventure Awaits: Discover the Playset that Brings...
- Need Auto Glass Repair? Don’t Despair
- Pioneering Fast and Affordable Broadband for the Underserved
- 7 Reasons Renting an RV Should Be On Every Family’s S...
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Guidenar Launches New Career Test for Gen Z
- GotIt! Education Offers MathGPT Free to All State & Community Colleges
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK