German slang adjective meaning 'cool,' 'awesome,' or 'great'; originally meant 'lustful' but evolved into positive slang among young Germans.
From Middle High German geil 'lustful, wanton,' related to Old English gal 'wanton.' The semantic evolution from 'lustful' to 'awesome' occurred in German youth slang during the late 20th century, similar to how 'bad' became 'good' in English slang.
The transformation of 'geil' from 'lustful' to 'awesome' in German perfectly illustrates how taboo words often become intensifiers and then positive adjectives in youth slang. This same pattern appears worldwide—words that shock parents often become the highest praise among teenagers, creating generational linguistic divides.
Dutch/German slang meaning sexually aroused or desirable; historically applied to women's bodies in objectifying contexts. Carries gendered sexual valence.
Avoid in professional or mixed contexts; if used, ensure equal application across genders and conscious of erotic framing.
["attractive","compelling","desirable"]
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