Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

California

arcane1

(38,613 posts)

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

Reply to Jamaal510 (Original post)

Sat Jan 5, 2013, 11:04 PM

Jan 2013

I assume it's a sort of a contraction of "a-hell-of-a...", and it may be, though it seems to be used in other ways too.

Like, instead of saying "we had a hell of a lot of corn at that cookout" it's "we had hella corn at that cookout"

Fortunately, I rarely hear it from friends

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

19 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

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