As users of the English language we contribute to the evolution of our vocabulary every day.  Words that were once popular have a tendency to resurface or have their meanings evolve along with our popular culture.  One slang term that has withstood the test of time and become part of our American culture is the adjective groovy.  The Harper Dictionary of Contemporary Usage defines the word groovy as slang for “very pleasing” or “wonderful.”  It is not uncommon today to hear someone voice his or her favorable opinion by using this term.

     Often associated with the hippie culture of the 1960’s, groovy has found favor in the new millennium.  We live in a society that is fast paced, often times lacking imagination and creativity.  Our films, music, fashion styles, and language are often deemed to be “retro.”  In the recent immensely popular series of Austin Powers films, the beloved “International Man of Mystery” travels back in time to the groovy 1960’s.  In doing so, the term groovy has been introduced to an entirely new generation.   Groovy has had some different meanings over time but its positive connotation has remained a constant throughout the 20th century.

     According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the noun groove was first used in the 15th century as another name for a mineshaft.  A groover was the name given to a miner.  A groove was also the description used for a manmade channel in metal or wood, for example, the spiral groove of a gun barrel.  In the late 19th century groovy came to mean that one was settled in habit or limited in mind.  This is a far cry from the widely accepted meaning of the word today.

     For the more direct history of the current meaning of the slang term groovy, we can look back to the early American jazz scene of the 1920’s and 1930’s.  Such legends as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Cab Calloway were pioneers of this new style of music that was dominated by African-American artists.  These and many other artists would use this new forum to express themselves in a society that was divided by segregation.  If an artist or band played exceptionally well they were said to be “in a groove.”  The general meaning of the slang term groovy slowly spilled over into the daily language of common people.  In the December 1948 issue of Cosmopolitan a passage read as follows, “’I pitched a no-hit game last summer,’ said Georgie.  ‘Hey, groovy,’ said Sally.” (qtd. in OED)

     During the 1960’s the Vietnam War and the growing Civil Rights movement divided the United States.  The hippie culture developed and many young people protested in the spirit of peace and love.  At this same time, many slang terms came into being as a result of our changing society.  “Hip”, “far out”, and “out of sight” are just a few examples.  Groovy continued to be widely used to voice a favorable response.  While I grew up in the 1980’s the term groovy was considered by many of my peers and myself to be outdated.  We were Generation X; we had no great cause except to beat the high score on Pac-Man.  Groovy was considered to be a leftover word used by old hippies who smoked pot.  We favored newer slang terms such as “neat”, “radical”, “righteous”, “excellent”, and “cool.”  To us, bellbottoms were something that sailors wore, hairstyles were short, and the music we listened to was new wave.  Little did we know that many of these classic pieces of American culture would be back in a big way, including the slang term groovy.  Remember the movie, How Stella Got Her Groove Back?

     Today, I don’t wear bellbottoms or listen to the Beatles, as many people do.  However, I have noticed that I do sometimes use the word groovy when I am truly excited about something.  It is the nature of our society to come full circle in terms of our popular culture.  A large part of that culture is our language.  When a slang term has lasted through the greatest period of social changes in our country’s history, it is time to give it some respect.  Groovy should be entered into our Standard American English vocabulary.