# When was the last time "groovy" was said unsarcastically? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 6, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212 "2016-07-06T13:14:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/1 "2016-07-06T13:14:39Z")
I know I’ve seen episodes of various cop shows and sitcoms like Dragnet, Beverly Hillbillies and The Monkees where the word “groovy” was used by beatniks or hippies in the original manner. But I also know that by the early 70s, it was solely used in a sarcastic manner, making fun of the original use. Unlike the word “cool”, which has pretty much survived for decades. I realize “groovy” is strongly associated with trends that came and went pretty rapidly in the mid 60s. The Monkees was filmed in 1966-1968, and Dragnet and Beverly Hillbillies were both earlier. I believe the word “groovy” is associated with the Brady Bunch, but that may just be in jest, in retrospect, because that show started in September 1969. Any groovy dudes or chicks know when “groovy” became square? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/2 "2016-07-06T13:21:16Z")
Probably yesterday. My wife reminded me that the dining room table needed to be refinished, since years of careless use had left the surface groovy. She was not being sarcastic, she is right about the groovy table. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/3 "2016-07-06T13:25:03Z")
I have a friend that uses it once in a while. She can pull it off though. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/4 "2016-07-06T13:27:31Z")
It can be used to describe someone who is very classically hippie like. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/5 "2016-07-06T13:41:37Z")
Huh! I had not realized the meaning has changed–although I have not heard it for years and years–except in old movies. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/6 "2016-07-06T14:04:02Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Huh! I had not realized the meaning has changed–although I have not heard it for years and years–except in old movies. I didn’t mean to imply that the meaning had changed, just that (I believe) it is only used ironically or sarcastically since it went out of favor. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/7 "2016-07-06T14:10:38Z")
When Simon and Garfunkle sang “Feelin’ Groovy” in 1966, it was a cool thing to say. Almost poetic, coming from their mouths. But by 1969, things were different. I remember in 1969, there was a TV commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal with the jingle “feeling groovy, just ate my Cheerios”. And, even though I was only 12 years old, that made me cringe. So I’d say that the word “groovy” had lifespan of about 2 years when it may have been used legitimately. Ever since then, it’s only been used as sarcasm. Or maybe for nostalgia. (But not the kind of nostalgic memories that give you a warm feeling in your belly…more like the kind of memories that leave you wondering how your parents ever put up with you.) :). ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/8 "2016-07-06T14:11:52Z")
Kinda related, I recently saw the 1947 trailer for ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ and saw that they used the word “groovey” to describe it. We usually associate the word with the 1960’s but that’s the _earliest_ I’m aware of it being used. [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Tf587-slM) (see it around 1:50) ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/9 "2016-07-06T14:15:04Z")
What would karaoke be without _Wild thing You make my heart sing You make everything **groovy** Wild thing_ ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/10 "2016-07-06T14:19:27Z")
I use it on occasion. One of my sisters does, too. No idea why it has stuck with us, but stick it has. ---
**Author:** ![Personal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Personal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Personal)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/11 "2016-07-06T14:28:07Z")
Phil Collins recorded a cover of “Groovy Kind of Love” in the late 1980s that was at least a minor hit, if I remember correctly. I think the original song was made in the mid- to late-1960s. I don’t recall the lyrics to know whether it was of the sarcastic bent. And I don’t remember “groovy” having a resurgence at that time (the 1980s). ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/12 "2016-07-06T15:29:01Z")
The answer, of course, is “[Whenever Bruce Campbell most recently said it](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F33k9_6Kefc)”. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/13 "2016-07-06T15:53:02Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > When Simon and Garfunkle sang “Feelin’ Groovy” in 1966, it was a cool thing to say. Almost poetic, coming from their mouths. > > But by 1969, things were different. > I remember in 1969, there was a TV commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal with the jingle “feeling groovy, just ate my Cheerios”. And, even though I was only 12 years old, that made me cringe. I’m reminded of the conviction many people have that Jeffrey McDonald murdered his family in February 1970, because he told authorities it was the work of hippies, one of whom was chanting “Acid is groovy, kill the pigs”. Supposedly no self-respecting hippie would have used the word “groovy” by that time. Interestingly, I have a soundtrack from Woodstock (August '69) in which one of the performers addressing the crowd uses the word “groovy” in gushing about how great the scene is. Maybe some of them cringed in response. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/14 "2016-07-06T16:15:21Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > Interestingly, I have a soundtrack from Woodstock (August '69) in which one of the performers addressing the crowd uses the word “groovy” in gushing about how great the scene is. > > Maybe some of them cringed in response. If anything was groovy, Woodstock is included in the list. Nobody cringed, man, it WAS groovy. And _Far Out_, too, man. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/15 "2016-07-06T17:31:21Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > I believe the word “groovy” is associated with the Brady Bunch, but that may just be in jest, in retrospect, because that show started in September 1969. Any groovy dudes or chicks know when “groovy” became square? Oh, the Brady Bunch certainly used “groovy” in a sincere way. Unfortunately they used it in exactly the way adult writers thought hip young kids would use a word that had gone out of fashion a few years earlier. The Lovin’ Spoonful released \*Do You Believe in Magic \*(“it makes me feel groovy like an old-time movie”) in 1965.Simon and Garfunkel recorded _The 59th Bridge Street Song_ in 1966 and a number of singers covered it in 1967. By the time the 5th Dimension had a moderate hit with _Workin’ on a Groovy Thing_ in 1969, the word was not groovy. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/16 "2016-07-06T20:58:07Z")
I say it all the time. It’s wonderfully cromulent. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/17 "2016-07-06T21:26:54Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > When Simon and Garfunkle sang “Feelin’ Groovy” in 1966, it was a cool thing to say. Almost poetic, coming from their mouths. > > But by 1969, things were different. > I remember in 1969, there was a TV commercial for Cheerios breakfast cereal with the jingle “feeling groovy, just ate my Cheerios”. And, even though I was only 12 years old, that made me cringe. > > So I’d say that the word “groovy” had lifespan of about 2 years when it may have been used legitimately. > Ever since then, it’s only been used as sarcasm. > Or maybe for nostalgia. (But not the kind of nostalgic memories that give you a warm feeling in your belly…more like the kind of memories that leave you wondering how your parents ever put up with you.) :). This. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/18 "2016-07-06T22:46:30Z")
I still enjoy using it non-sarcastically. I say “Spiffy” and “Nifty”, as well. But I figure I’m an outlier… ---
**Author:** ![undertow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/a6a055/32.png) [@undertow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/undertow)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/19 "2016-07-06T23:20:04Z")
Ash said it in the movie “Army Of Darkness” when he got his mechanical hand. ---
**Author:** ![Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bc79bd/32.png) [@Last\_Glacial\_Maximum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Last_Glacial_Maximum)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2016, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212/20 "2016-07-06T23:39:43Z")
Joe Maddon {manager of the Chicago Cubs} says groovy during interviews and many other out-dated quips from the 60’s and 70’s. He pulls it off effortlessly… . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-was-the-last-time-groovy-was-said-unsarcastically/759212.md?page=2)