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[–] 1 point 2 years ago (1 child)

ask them what it means. They won't even know.

I'd argue they'd know what it means but wouldn't know the origin. Words evolve. I just learned this etymology now but I've always known what it meant implicitly when said. Tbh I assumed it was more local/rural slang when I was younger because I mainly heard it from other kids, not in media, etc.

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  • [–] 0 points 2 years ago*

    I guess what I mean is if you asked them with regard to the etymology... Ratchet is a word. It has a meaning highly disparate from "shitty." Like, it's a tool. A noun. It does things.

    So kids using this word against its actual meaning, ask them why and they won't understand.

    Like if I asked you why you were using the word ratchet (say yesterday), which is a tool that helps turn bolts, in place of the word "shitty" and you'd be all 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

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