The term dude is an American English slang word generally used informally to address a male individual. The word was once used primarily by adults but has become a common slang term used in various age groups. The female equivalent, less often used, is "dudette". However the term dude has evolved to become a more unisex term to encompass all genders^[1], and was even true in the 50's during the word's older definitions.^[2]

"Dude" is also used alone in a sentence as an interjection denoting a feeling of surprise, happiness, disappointment, amazement or other emotions.^[3] The word might also be used practically anywhere in a sentence in order to convey such sentiments in conversation, as in 'Listen dude, we have to go'.

The tone and inflection of the word "dude" are used to convey the various meanings. For example, a short, clipped "dude!" may convey annoyance with someone, while a long, drawn-out "duuuude" conveys amazement.

Other, older definitions of dude exist; a particularly well-dressed male or one who is unfamiliar with life outside a large city. These definitions may go hand-in-hand, hence the phrased definition "An Easterner in the West" (United States).^[4]

One of the earliest books to use the word was The Home and Farm Manual, written by Jonathan Periam in 1883. In that work, Periam used the term dude several times to denote an ill-bred and ignorant, but ostentatious, man from the city.

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External links

• The Compact Oxford English Dictionary's Definition
• Dude - By Kiesling, Scott F., Published in American Speech, Vol. 79, No. 3, Fall 2004, pp. 281-305
• You've Come a Long Way, Dude: A History, By Richard A. Hill, American Speech, Vol. 69, No. 3 (Autumn, 1994), pp. 321-327
• Dude, Where's My Dude? - Dudelicious Dissection, From Sontag to Spicoli, New York Observer
• Words@random: "dude"

References