General
far out
What does far out mean?
An exclamation of surprise, amazement or exasperation.
"Far out, that storm came from nowhere!"
Origin
Rooted in 1950s jazz slang, where 'far out' described music that ventured beyond conventional structure. The 1960s counterculture adopted it as a broad expression of wonder and admiration.
Frequently asked questions
What does far out mean in slang?
It is an expression of amazement or admiration, meaning something is wonderful, mind-blowing, or pleasingly unconventional.
Where did far out come from?
From 1950s jazz musicians describing experimental, boundary-pushing music; hippies adopted it as a general exclamation of awe.
Is far out positive or negative?
Almost always positive, expressing wonder, though it can describe ideas as eccentric in a neutral or teasing way.
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