- Positive usage: "Let's get ratchet tonight!" Negative usage: "Ew, she's so ratchet."
ratchet [2]
adjective; sound symbolism
Used to describe someone who is either (a) crazy/ very wild/ trashy or (b) nasty, busted, gross. Can be used in a positive or negative way. Word sounds as wild/nasty as the definition. Derived from ratchet: toothed wheel with which a pawl engages.
Etymology : Word from Rochet, from French rochet "bobbin, spindle," from Italian rocchetto "spool, ratchet," diminutive of rocca "distaff," possibly from a Germanic source.
Source : Roommate. September 2013.
Last modified: 25 November 2013