Top 22+ Words That Got Their Start in the '60s

The '60s were a time of rapid change, not just in culture and political affairs, but in the way people spoke. In fact, these 22 words and phrases you may hear today were born out of the decade.

1. Affirmative Action

Affirmative action, coined during the Civil Rights Movement, refers to policies that promote equal opportunities for historically underrepresented groups. It’s often used in education and employment. For example, a university might state, “We support affirmative action to build a student body that reflects the diversity of our society.”

2. Afro

The afro hairstyle became particularly popular during the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. It represents Black pride and identity, and symbolizes a rejection of Eurocentric beauty standards.

3. Baby Boomer

The term baby boomer refers to the generation born right after World War II, roughly from 1946 to 1964. This period saw a significant increase in birth rates, hence the word "boom." They’ve been a significant force in shaping modern culture with technological advancements and political movements. So when someone says, "I’m a baby boomer," you know they’ve got some interesting stories to tell.

4. Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving when shoppers begin buying gifts for the holiday season. It was initially used by Philadelphia police to describe the chaotic and crowded conditions they faced due to the heavy influx of shoppers. Nowadays, it's got a more positive association. It's the day that retailers move "into the black, or become profitable. Next time you hear "I scored great deals on Black Friday," you'll know they’re talking about that post-Thanksgiving shopping spree.

5. Bubblegum

The term for "bubblegum" chewing gum dates back to the '30s. However, the word began to enter mainstream lingo in the ‘60s, when it was used to describe a specific genre of pop music, characterized by catchy, upbeat songs with simple lyrics. This music had a targeted audience of young teenagers. Some of the famous bands from this genre were The Archies, The Monkees, and The 1910 Fruitgum Company.

6. Cochlear Implant

In 1961, William House and John Doyle of Los Angeles, California implanted the first cochlear implant. This medical device marked a major leap in hearing technology by bypasseing damaged parts of the ear to stimulate the auditory nerve. While these early devices had their challenges, they ultimately laid the groundwork for the multi-channel cochlear implants we see today.

7. Cyborg

The term cyborg, a portmanteau of "cybernetic" and "organism," was coined in 1960 by Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline. It refers to a being with both organic and biomechatronic body parts. Think of it as today’s equivalent of being "enhanced."

8. Down Syndrome

It wasn't until 1965 when the World Health Organization recommended changing the name "Mongolism" to Down syndrome after John Langdon Down, who first described the condition in 1866. He apparently used the previous term because he believed the facial features of people with Down syndrome resembled those of people from Mongolia. However, this was not just a misnomer, it was racist. Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra chromosome 21, and is not related to any specific race or ethnicity.

9. Dragon Fruit

The earliest known use of the word "dragon fruit" is from 1963. When the fruit began to be more widely consumed in majority-English-speaking countries, it was called "dragon fruit” emerged, likely referring to its dragonlike red skin and green scales. The fruit is also known as pitahaya or pitaya.

10. Gaslighting

Have you ever felt confused by someone's manipulative behavior? That’s gaslighting. This term is often used to describe a form of psychological manipulation. If you hear someone say, "I realized he was gaslighting me, making me doubt my own feelings," now you know what they mean. Though the term originates from the 1938 play Gas Light, also known as Angel Street, by Patrick Hamilton, it wasn't widely used until the '60s, when it began to be applied to real-life manipulative behavior.

11. Jack Russell Terrier

In the '60s, Australian equestrians, the Roycrofts, witnessed these working terriers in the UK. They were used for fox hunting. The Roycrofts then brought some back to Australia, which helped popularize the breed among farmers. In 1972, the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Australia was founded, further marking a step in the breed's recognition.

12. Magnetic Levitation

Magnetic levitation or maglev, is a technology that uses magnets to float objects, such as trains. The '60s saw significant research into magnetic levitation, with British engineer Eric Laithwaite developing the linear induction motor and demonstrating the potential of maglev to achieve higher speeds than traditional trains.

13. Midlife Crisis

Canadian psychoanalyst and social scientist Elliott Jaques first used the term "midlife crisis" in his 1965 paper, "Death and the Mid-Life Crisis," to describe a period of psychological distress and questioning that some individuals experience in middle age.

14. Military-Industrial Complex

The phrase "Military-Industrial Complex" was popularized in 1961 by U.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower in his farewell address, where he warned of the growing influence of defense contractors on national policy. For instance, a concerned citizen might say, “The military-industrial complex shapes more decisions than we realize.”

15. Monkeypox

The term entered public health discussions after the disease was first identified in monkeys during outbreaks in 1958. Soon after, it was identified in humans, causing fever, rashes, and swollen lymph nodes. Nowadays, due to growing concerns about the potential for stigmatization, the WHO has suggested replacing the term "monkeypox" with "mpox".

16. OB-GYN

The term "OB-GYN" emerged in the '60s as a shorthand for obstetrician-gynecologist, a physician specializing in both obstetrics, and gynecology, which refers to female reproductive health. During this time, the fields of obstetrics and gynecology became more integrated.

17. One-liner

This specific comedic term became popular in the '60s alongside the rise of stand-up comedy and television. It refers to clever, punchy jokes that comedians use to get laughs fast.

18. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

"Sudden Infant Death Syndrome" (SIDS) was first proposed in 1969 to focus attention on a specific category of sudden and unexpected infant deaths with similar characteristics. Previously, such deaths were often attributed to other causes like suffocation.

19. Telenovela

Telenovelas are serialized television dramas that often feature intense plots filled with romance and intrigue. The term, which first emerged in the '60s, is a Spanish and Portuguese word that combines tele- (television) and novela (novel or serial drama). If you find yourself saying, “I can’t wait to watch my favorite telenovela tonight,” you’re likely in for some binge-worthy drama.

20. Theme Park

In the '60s, the term "theme park" was coined to distinguish parks like Disneyland from traditional amusement parks like Cedar Point and Knott's Berry Farm. Disneyland had themed "lands" and a Hollywood set design, thus the term "theme park" was adopted to better communicate the experience of simulated environments based on popular culture and historical themes.