How to be Rad
Created | Updated Sep 21, 2005
Radness is difficult to define, not only because it is a complex subject which few understand, but also because so few people are actually rad themselves. It is a common misconception to assume that 'radness' or 'radity' is the same as being 'cool'. It isn't. Rad is defined in the "Cassell Dictionary of Slang" as follows:
"RAD adj. [1980s+](orig. US teen) a general intensifier; extreme, excessive, very much, excellent, the best (cf. DEF)."
This has been redefined by The Topher and I, Tom, as follows:
"RAD adj. [2002+](orig. Chris 'n' Tom) a person who happens to be an individual someway, without going out of their way to acheive this (cf. DEF)."
To be rad, you should fit into one of the following categories.
These are as follows:
"Nice guy" radity (eg. Chris 'the Topher' Leahy)
This kind of radity requires a down-to-earth outlook on life, a skill for not acting like a complete tit all the time, and also a knack for giving damn good advice that won't screw you up at every turn. If you think this sounds a bit like you, and are getting a little excited at the prospects of 'being rad', then forget it. It's nothing like you at all. It is good to know someone who is of this kind of radity.
"Wacky" radity (eg. Fernandes)
Well, to be perfectly honest this kind of radity is the most unpredictable, and therefore hardest to assess. If you want to hang out with somebody you know with this kind of radness and are in a good mood, it's great! If you have just got home from school after three tests, too much homework and a lost lunch that turned up in your locker from six weeks ago, then the chances are that they will really get on your tits. It also involves wearing bright shirts a lot of the time.
"Change your ways!" radity (eg. Sir Iain Hall)
The reason I have assessed Mr Hall as being rad is because he scares the living shite out of me with his sense of authority and ulimate power and I can't help believing that he could do ANYTHING to make my life a living hell. God is similar in this way. These people are very rare to come across, but if you do by any chance, you'll know it.
~More subtle forms of radity~
"Slick" radity (eg: Dick Tracey)
Occasionally, when the mood takes you, you may become SLICK! You may experience the utmost confidence and feel like smoking a very long cigarette whilst muttering things like "so I said to the nurse... hey nurse!" and "yeah, you know what's up, get with it poink,". You may also start clicking your fingers in time to a beat no-one else can hear. This brand of radity is the closest to coolness, though it far surpasses mere coolness.
"Outrageous!" radity (eg: The Frock)
Or anyone who surprises completely you by saying something utterly un-P.C., forcing you to squeal "You can't say that!!!".
Common phrases include:-
"yeah well, they all deserve to burn anyway"
"that's because of your ethnic background"
"as a matter of fact, I think communism would work"
Very often, radsters like this say this stuff just to see what will happen. Even more often, they end up getting their head kicked in.
"Complete and utter GEEK" radity (eg: any weird snivelling comic nerd)
A lot of controversy has been surrounding this entry on whether being a feeble snot-bag who loves sci-fi movies is actually rad. In my opinion it is very rad to act like such a geek and still be able to hold your head high. Any pot-noodle-munching, inch-thick-glasses-wearing, spotty, uncouth, dweeby, wimpy t**t who can do this is very VERY rad. So there. Good on 'em.
"RAD adj. [1980s+](orig. US teen) a general intensifier; extreme, excessive, very much, excellent, the best (cf. DEF)."
This has been redefined by The Topher and I, Tom, as follows:
"RAD adj. [2002+](orig. Chris 'n' Tom) a person who happens to be an individual someway, without going out of their way to acheive this (cf. DEF)."
To be rad, you should fit into one of the following categories.
These are as follows:
"Nice guy" radity (eg. Chris 'the Topher' Leahy)
This kind of radity requires a down-to-earth outlook on life, a skill for not acting like a complete tit all the time, and also a knack for giving damn good advice that won't screw you up at every turn. If you think this sounds a bit like you, and are getting a little excited at the prospects of 'being rad', then forget it. It's nothing like you at all. It is good to know someone who is of this kind of radity.
"Wacky" radity (eg. Fernandes)
Well, to be perfectly honest this kind of radity is the most unpredictable, and therefore hardest to assess. If you want to hang out with somebody you know with this kind of radness and are in a good mood, it's great! If you have just got home from school after three tests, too much homework and a lost lunch that turned up in your locker from six weeks ago, then the chances are that they will really get on your tits. It also involves wearing bright shirts a lot of the time.
"Change your ways!" radity (eg. Sir Iain Hall)
The reason I have assessed Mr Hall as being rad is because he scares the living shite out of me with his sense of authority and ulimate power and I can't help believing that he could do ANYTHING to make my life a living hell. God is similar in this way. These people are very rare to come across, but if you do by any chance, you'll know it.
~More subtle forms of radity~
"Slick" radity (eg: Dick Tracey)
Occasionally, when the mood takes you, you may become SLICK! You may experience the utmost confidence and feel like smoking a very long cigarette whilst muttering things like "so I said to the nurse... hey nurse!" and "yeah, you know what's up, get with it poink,". You may also start clicking your fingers in time to a beat no-one else can hear. This brand of radity is the closest to coolness, though it far surpasses mere coolness.
"Outrageous!" radity (eg: The Frock)
Or anyone who surprises completely you by saying something utterly un-P.C., forcing you to squeal "You can't say that!!!".
Common phrases include:-
"yeah well, they all deserve to burn anyway"
"that's because of your ethnic background"
"as a matter of fact, I think communism would work"
Very often, radsters like this say this stuff just to see what will happen. Even more often, they end up getting their head kicked in.
"Complete and utter GEEK" radity (eg: any weird snivelling comic nerd)
A lot of controversy has been surrounding this entry on whether being a feeble snot-bag who loves sci-fi movies is actually rad. In my opinion it is very rad to act like such a geek and still be able to hold your head high. Any pot-noodle-munching, inch-thick-glasses-wearing, spotty, uncouth, dweeby, wimpy t**t who can do this is very VERY rad. So there. Good on 'em.
