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California

Jamaal510

(10,893 posts) Sat Jan 5, 2013, 10:58 PM Jan 2013

Why do people from the Bay say "hella" all the time? [View all]

I just want to say that I find this word incredibly annoying. I know that it originated here in the Bay Area, and before I get flamed, I was born and raised here. But it drives me nuts whenever somebody says it. I don't hear other people talk like this, but I hear people from the Bay say it all the time, including my family.

19 replies

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Why do people from the Bay say "hella" all the time? [View all] Jamaal510 Jan 2013 OP

I say "hella." David__77 Jan 2013 #1

I transplanted here in 1999, and it drove me crazy. Even worse: hecka arcane1 Jan 2013 #2

I don't think it's exclusively from the bay area. Mr.Bill Jan 2013 #3

I heard it from L A folks first ... bayareaboy Jan 2013 #14

Hella good question! It means 10 to the 27th power. bananas Jan 2013 #4

Old people don't say it. We have already been through every speech incarnation OffWithTheirHeads Jan 2013 #5

What's the context? Speck Tater Jan 2013 #6

Examples of how I've heard it used xxxsdesdexxx Jan 2013 #8

Hmmmm. Sounds like a synonym for "very", or "extremely". Speck Tater Jan 2013 #11

I have also noticed an increase in the # of white teenagers saying "Fo sure" xxxsdesdexxx Jan 2013 #7

Lived here all of my life and I never noticed it. Never hear the word "Frisco," anymore, either. demosincebirth Jan 2013 #9

I am so glad for that.. AsahinaKimi Jan 2013 #10

I don't hella know. Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #12

They are witches thus wicked y'know n/t flamingdem Jan 2013 #15

LOL. In Mass we could make a pretty good guess where you lived if you called something "wicked". pinto Jan 2013 #16

I've only heard it in movies. :) Starry Messenger Jan 2013 #18

DING DING DING KamaAina Jan 2013 #17

Because they're ten years behind the west coast. Mr.Bill Jan 2013 #19

I'm trying to bring back Groovy. Mr.Bill Jan 2013 #13