If you've missed out on what recently unfolded in the Singapore online space, here's a quick refresher.

1) Former presidential candidate Tan Kin Lian lectures someone not to use dude because it's rude. This occurred on on one of his Facebook posts asking why Real Madrid is called "Real".

2) Subsequently, The Straits Times reporter John Lui wrote an opinion article not to use "bro, dude or mate". With regards to dude, Lui feels that only prats (idiots), surfer dudes and Polynesian bar owners are eligible to use the word dude.

These sentiments have thus led them to the conclusion that everyone else should, therefore, stop using it with immediate effect.

However, the only thing that stopped was people in their tracks as they gawked at Tan and Lui like they were nincompoops.

With regards to the word "dude", it has been around for the past 200 years.

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History of "Dude"

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The word dude has its roots in the 18th century, when it was used to describe dandies in America. Dandies were overly well-dressed Englishmen wannabes.

In the 19th century and 20th century, the meaning then transferred itself to rich urbanites looking for a more rural, authentic western cowboy experiences.

They found themselves staying at "dude ranches",  which is kind of like guest accommodation for these tourists back in the day.

Eventually, dude once again transferred itself onto surfer culture in the 1980's and 1990's. By then, dude had become so widely used, it was no longer designated to one person or gender.

Think Keanu Reeves in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.

Longevity

Sure, the older generations probably find it an earsore. It probably sounds as ridiculous as other terms that gained notoriety in recent years. Such as, "basic", "lit" or "AF".

However, most words find their popularity wane tremendously a year or less after it was introduced.

Look at the term swag, for example. It was once very popular, but since then it has pretty much died out. It might even make you cringe the way Lui would when you use bro, dude or mate.

Dude, however, stayed on, persisting through multiple changes in the way English is used.

Flexible use

Thanks to pop culture and its frequently celebrated usage, dude has also adopted peculiar nuances which allow it to be used in almost any situation. Like any Mandarin word, changing the intonation changes the meaning of dude dramatically. 

Calling someone? "Dude!"

Prodding someone? "Dude?"

When you're trying to set things straight? "Dude."

Want to exclaim "Are you serious" with one word? A very long and drawn out "duuude".

Such is the power of the word, so much so it is even is a linguistic tool in building and defining friendships, but without turning exclusive like its counterpart bro.

Proceed with caution? 

Speaking about using the word, Lui and Tan aren't wrong to some extent, however.

Calling your seniors, teachers or your boss dude (if they're not cool with it) is frowned upon. It's understandably not cool when it's used tiredly in attempts to be youthful and hip either.

But what's with policing whatever people want to use in their informal, friendly spaces?

In any case, the quote below by The Dude himself from The Big Lebowski sums it up pretty accurately.

Related article:

7 newfangled words young people use these days that old people don’t understand

Top image via Arika Okrent's YouTube Video

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