Hang loose, bro. Photo: The Inertia
Slang. Jargon. Vernacular. Colloquialisms. Dialect. Terminology. Regardless of which slang you choose, it’s often used to describe waves, conditions, style, or even stoke. Some slang is generational and others regional, but some slang knows no borders and has survived the test of time. You use surf slang every day. But do you know where those words came from? Here, I’ve rounded up an incomplete list of surf vernacular and its origins.
Aggro: Aggressive, hostile, even intimidating.
Aggro, short for aggressive or aggression is inspired by British slang and coined by Australians when they shortened the word aggressive to aggro to describe an aggressive surfer. The term first began being used in the late 1960s to early 1970s.
Bail: To step off the board in order to avoid being knocked off.
We’ve all been there: You thought the wave was perfect and right as you’re dropping in, it walls up, and you can tell it’s going to close out…time to bail! The word stems from the phrase “to bail,” which means to leave or abandon. Surfers adopted the term in the 1950s and 60s in California and Hawaii, during the explosion of surf culture.
Firing: Good, great, awesome. Top quality.
This is a word surfers love to hear. When the waves are firing, it’s time to drop everything and get out there. Firing first became common speak during the surf culture explosion. It’s believed that the term is a metaphor for a fire that is burning at maximum heat. So, when the ocean is firing, the conditions are paramount.
Frothing: Excessive excitement, typically about something of little actual worth. Mostly used in the world of extreme sports, notably surfing.
Whoa, whoa, hold on there, Urban Dictionary. I think you meant to say, “typically about something of extreme worth or importance.” It is believed that the term was inspired by the image of someone foaming at the mouth in their excitement, like an energetic dog.
Going Off: The waves are exceptionally good, consistent, and firing, creating ideal, high-quality conditions
“Going off” is often used synonymously with firing. Going off originated in glassing rooms. Workers would use the term when the resin was mixed too hot and set early, sometimes catching fire. The term evolved from this high-intensity environment to describe high-intensity waves, in the best way possible.
Gnarly: Slang for something extreme – used in bad and good cases.
You’d be hard-pressed to find more classic surf slang than gnarly. The term was most likely born of the California surf scene. The word comes from the 1600s term gnarled, which was used to describe twisted or knotted wood, or gnarled tree branches. Surfers adopted the term to describe dangerous situations, wipeouts, or big surf.
Grom: A young kid, usually under the age of 15, that likes to surf or skateboard
Everyone loves a grom! The word comes from military vernacular, specifically the word grommet. Grommets are small, metal rings or ropes on naval ships and are also the lowest ranking naval recruits. In the 1960s, Australian surfers shortened the word to grom (most likely originating in South Africa) and began using it to describe their youth. Today it is used to describe talented kids in surfing, skating, skiing, and snowboarding.
“Yep, it’s all rubbed in!” Photo: Mpora.com
Kook: A beginner surfer; a person that is unaware of their surroundings and other people.
Generally speaking, a kook is an inexperienced or clueless surfer. But the examples of a kook are endless, as they never cease to amaze us with their ineptitude. There is some debate about the origins of the word, but it’s widely believed that it stems from the Hawaiian word for shit: “kukae.”
Pearling: Usually involuntary, a maneuver where the nose (front) of a surfboard dips underwater, often halting forward motion and resulting in a wipeout.
We’ve all been there. And it’s the worst. The origins of pearling are surprisingly literal. Pearling is derived from pearl diving, as in diving for actual pearls. So, when you pearl your board, your nose dips down as if you were heading towards the depths in search of “mermaid’s tears.”
Snaking: The aggressive act of paddling under, around, or over the top of another surfer to get right of way.
No one likes a snake. The term snaking was in existence long before surfing became a mainstream sport. Snaking was derived from the Old English word “snaca,” which referred to the winding or crawling movement of a snake. In the 1650s, it began being used as a verb, to describe the twist or bend of rivers, roads, etc. Due to the sneaky nature of snakes, snaking became a popular term amongst surfers in the 1960s.
Steezy: Describes a surfer who rides waves with remarkable flair, flow, and effortless grace.
Steezy’s roots lie in a different sport: hip-hop dancing. During the 1980s, steezy was used in hip-hop culture and appeared in Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s 1982 song “It’s Nasty (Genius of Love).” The term is a blend of the words “style” and “ease.” It was adopted by action sports in the late ’90’s and early 2000s.
Stoked: To be completely and intensely enthusiastic, exhilarated, or excited about something.
A timeless favorite, stoked first gained popularity during the 1950s and 60s in California surf culture. It originates from the Dutch word stoken, which means to feed or fuel a fire. In surfing and snowsports, stoked is used to describe excitement or euphoria. In 1963, the Beach Boys released their song, “Stoked,” and the word gained immense popularity.
There’s plenty more where these came from. So yell at me in the comments if I missed any.
