Deadly Dialect: 1980s Slang to Drop at Your Mystery Party

So you’ve got the outfit, the attitude, and the character card—but are you talking like a true 80s icon? If you're heading to a murder mystery party themed around the likes of the Brat Pack and all things retro, brushing up on some classic slang is a must. Whether you're channeling a Valley Girl, a rebel, a prep, or a brainiac, these phrases will have you sounding like you just stepped off the set of The Breakfast Club.

From “gag me with a spoon” to “tubular,” this slang will not only help you stay in character—it’ll totally impress your fellow sleuths. (Bonus points if you can work them into your accusations or alibis.)

• "Gag me with a spoon" - Used when something is gross or super uncool.

  “He’s wearing socks with sandals? Gag me with a spoon!”

• "Like, totally" - A Valley Girl staple for emphasizing literally anything.

  “That outfit is, like, totally amazing.”

• "No duh!" - The sarcastic way to say “Obviously.”

  “The killer was in the room the whole time.” — “No duh!”

• "Take a chill pill" - Telling someone to calm down.

  “You’re accusing everyone of murder — take a chill pill!”

• "Gnarly" - Can mean good or bad — it’s all in the tone.

  “That bloodstain is gnarly!” or “Her dance moves were gnarly, dude!”

• "Bodacious" - Excellent, impressive, attractive.

  “You look bodacious in that neon!”

• "Tubular" - Awesome, fantastic. Surf/skate culture slang.

  “That entrance you made? Totally tubular.”

• "What’s your damage?" - A sarcastic way of asking what someone’s problem is.

  “Why are you yelling at everyone? What’s your damage?”

• "Grody to the max" - Super gross.

  “Someone drank the punch after the murder? Grody to the max.”

• "Bad" (but actually means good) - Slang twist — “bad” = cool.

  “That leather jacket is bad — in a good way!”

• "Poser" - Someone pretending to be cool or part of the crowd.

  “He’s acting like he’s from Hollywood? What a poser.”

• "Bogus" - Unfair, fake, or just wrong.

  “You’re accusing me of murder? That’s bogus!”

Now that you’re armed with the most righteous 80s phrases, you’re ready to sleuth (or scheme) your way through the party like a total pro. Whether you're accusing someone of murder or just complimenting their outfit, tossing in a little slang makes the night way more immersive—and way more fun.

Bonus Round: 1980s Detective Slang to Keep You in Character

Want to talk like an undercover gumshoe fresh out of an '80s cop drama? Try dropping these righteous retro detective phrases during your investigation:

• "Flatfoot" – Old-school term for a beat cop.

  “You think I’m just some flatfoot? Think again, pal.”

• "The fuzz" – Slang for the police.

  “Better stay chill or the fuzz’ll be all over this scene.”

• "On the case" – Investigating or tracking a suspect.

  “Don’t worry, I’m on the case like stripes on a zebra.”

• "Snitch" – Someone who rats others out.

  “Word is there’s a snitch in the room. Time to smoke 'em out.”

• "Undercover" – In disguise or working in secret.

  “You didn’t peg me as a suspect? That’s ‘cause I’m working undercover.”

• "Stakeout" – Waiting and watching someone’s moves.

  “I had her under stakeout all night. Real shady vibes.”

• "Hot lead" – A promising clue or piece of evidence.

  “Got a hot lead on the missing weapon—follow me.”

• "Dirty" – Corrupt or suspicious.

  “That alibi? Feels dirty, man.”

• "Smoking gun" – The piece of evidence that seals the case.

  “This bloody glove? Total smoking gun.”

• "Case closed" – You’ve solved it. Game over.

  “Caught the killer in the act. Case closed, dudes.”

So tease that hair, grab your Walkman, and remember: if someone tries to call you the killer? Just say, “No duh, I’m, like, totally innocent.” Or, if you're feeling really fly, throw on your shades and mutter: “I’m on the case. And it’s about to get tubular.”