Sicko: meaning, definitions and examples
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sicko
[ ˈsɪkoʊ ]
slang term
The term 'sicko' is a slang term often used to describe someone who behaves in a way that is considered morally reprehensible or deviantly insane. It can refer to someone who is obsessed with violence or inappropriate behavior. The label is typically used in a derogatory sense, implying that the person has serious psychological issues. Although it is often used casually or humorously in some contexts, it can also carry a heavy connotation of danger or untrustworthiness.
Synonyms
freak, lunatic, maniac, pervert, psychopath.
Examples of usage
- Don't trust him; he's a total sicko.
- That movie is about a sicko who terrorizes the town.
- She called him a sicko after seeing how he treated others.
- Some fans think the singer is a sicko based on his lyrics.
Etymology
The word 'sicko' emerged in the United States in the late 20th century, first appearing in popular culture in the 1980s as a colloquial term rooted in the idea of someone being mentally unstable or morally repugnant. It is believed to be a distortion of the word 'sick,' which originally described illness or unhealthiness. As language evolved, 'sick' transitioned into slang contexts, including descriptors of extreme or deviant behaviors, leading to the contraction 'sicko.' Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the term gained traction in various media, from music to film, often representing characters with unsettling or amoral traits. While initially confined to informal usage, it now appears in broader pop culture references, illuminating society’s fascination with the darker aspects of human behavior.