Ridiculous in the City

I think it's time to remind ourselves why we're here.

In contemporary society, use of the word “ridiculous” goes far beyond its generally accepted status as a synonym for absurd. Countless media and pop culture references to that which is "ridiculous" have placed the term into society's regular linguistic rotation. But "ridiculous" is no fly-by-night term and the current "ridiculous" bandwagon is, well, ridiculous.

Here at Ridiculous in the City, the word “ridiculous” is not simply an adjective, but a state of mind, a way of being, and in fact, life itself. And so it comes as no surprise that "ridiculous" is having its moment—it is, after all, the very height of chic. However, to truly understand the ridiculous and embrace it with the full force a phrase of its magnitude deserves, we must first examine what it means to be ridiculous.

The word “ridiculous” has its origins in the Latin ridiculosus (yes, it does sound vaguely like an internal infection of some kind). It was first used sometime around 1550, when there was, no doubt, a lot of ridiculousness ensuing. Merriam Webster defines ridiculous as, “arousing or deserving ridicule; extremely silly or unreasonable.” Okay, let’s not be so hasty, Merriam. While the word "ridiculous" does perfectly describe things that are glaringly nonsensical, confining ridiculous to such rigid definitions is robbing the word of its ability to encompass so many impassioned, enthusiastic descriptors. Giving usage examples like, “She looks ridiculous in that outfit,” further denigrates ridiculous as a term to be used only when hating on something or, worse, making fun of someone—which Ridiculous in the City does not support. Be ridiculous, look ridiculous, do your thing. There is enough ridiculousness in the world without having to bag on somebody.

Free to Be You and Ridiculous, my first album hits stores this Christmas!

Synonyms like cockamamie, farcical, ludicrous, pathetic (ouch) and preposterous not only push the stereotype of "ridiculous" as a negative term, but offer no real alternative for the positive, deeply inspirational meaning of ridiculous. To Ridiculous in the City, the word ridiculous means the pinnacle of greatness, amazing, over the top in the very best and oddest of ways. It means fantastical, fabulous, off the chain and often, off our proverbial rocker. Use of the word ridiculous is celebratory, awesome, the linguistic embodiment of a “hell yeah,” invoked when the word “rad” just doesn’t go far enough—though rad does go pretty far, but Rad in the City just doesn’t have the same ring to it. In some cases, the word ridiculous is used with an absurd connotation, but only when something is so absolutely, absurdly ridiculous—meaning it’s relative awesomeness can’t even be quantified on the pages of Ridiculous in the City—that the word ridiculous actually needs an adjective attached to it.

Alas, Urban Dictionary understands (English teachers of the world are choking on their Chamomile tea right now). Among their varied and humorous definitions for the term ridiculous is, “Where something is hot, cool, or off the hook.” Adding gravitas to this scholarly statement is the usage example, “The back of yo head iz ridiculous!” Oh, iz it?

So, the next time you hear the word ridiculous, think of it not as a negative, ridiculing term, but as a term that invokes all that is right with the world, and all that humanity can become. However you want to embrace "ridiculous" is fine—just do it. Do me a favor though and don’t shorten it to “ridic.” That’s just ridiculous.

Together, we can do it. Ridiculous as noun, verb, adverb, lifestyle, not just adjective; get out there and use it. Get out there and be ridiculous. It feels good and, by god, it looks good on you. Ridiculously so.

Reader bonus: Because I love you, I must share that which is truly ridiculous. I can’t make this stuff up.

Throwback Thursday: Witness the Ridiculous.

Remember When Halloween Was Free(ish)?