Here's how the evolution is thought to have happened:
* "Sick" in surfing: In surfing, "sick" was used to describe a good wave, especially a large or challenging one. The term was likely used to express admiration or excitement for the wave's power and intensity.
* Transition to general slang: From there, the term "sick" began to be used more generally to describe anything considered impressive or enjoyable. This likely stemmed from the association with the excitement and thrill of surfing.
* Popularity in the 1980s: "Sick" gained widespread use in the 1980s, thanks to its association with skateboarding, punk rock, and other youth subcultures.
However, there's no definitive origin for the slang term. While the surfing theory is widely accepted, other possibilities include:
* A more general use of "sick" to describe something extreme or powerful: "Sick" can also refer to something "ill" or "unwell," which might have contributed to its use for something "intense" or "amazing" in a playful, ironic way.
* Influence from other slang terms: "Sick" might have been influenced by similar slang terms like "rad," "awesome," or "wicked" which were also popular in the 1980s.
Regardless of its exact origins, "sick" is now a firmly established slang term, used by people of all ages to express positive feelings and appreciation for something they find impressive.