groovy baby

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phraseinformalslanghumorous

   A humorous catchphrase said to show approval or excitement, imitating 1960s slang speech.

   Grammar: Used as a complete exclamation on its own; it is not attached to a noun as a normal description.

   Patterns

   • say 'groovy baby'
   • 'groovy baby!'

   He slid into the room wearing sunglasses and shouted, 'Groovy baby!'

   When the band started playing the old hit, my uncle grinned and said, 'Groovy baby.'

2. 2phrasefixed phraseinformalhumorous

   Used jokingly to praise something in a fake 1960s style.

   Grammar: Comes after a statement as a comment, often with a pause before it.

   Patterns

   • something is groovy, baby
   • groovy baby, yeah

   A new coffee machine in the office? Groovy baby, that's what I call progress.

   She painted the walls bright orange and said, 'Groovy baby,' as if it were 1968.

3. 3phrasefixed phraseinformaldisapprovinghumorous

   Used to mock someone who speaks or dresses in an exaggerated old-fashioned 'cool' way.

   Grammar: Often said with a heavy imitation accent, which makes the mockery clear.

   Patterns

   • say 'groovy baby' to someone

   He kept saying 'groovy baby' to the teenagers, who found it painfully embarrassing.

   Stop doing that groovy baby voice; nobody thinks it's cool anymore.

Common combinations

say 'groovy baby'

He likes to say 'groovy baby' whenever he wears his old leather jacket.

a groovy baby voice

She answered the phone in a groovy baby voice as a joke.

groovy baby, yeah

The DJ leaned into the microphone and said, 'Groovy baby, yeah!'

Synonyms and how they differ

cool

The ordinary modern word for approval; 'groovy baby' is only funny because it sounds like dated slang.

far out

Another dated exclamation of approval from the same era, used in a similar joking way.

awesome

A general exclamation of enthusiasm; it carries no dated or comic flavor.

Word family

groovy adjective

Old-fashioned slang meaning fashionable or excellent.

groove noun

A strong, enjoyable rhythm in music.

Commonly confused: groovy baby or groove? groovy baby or baby?

Practice

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