- The use of this term started because the agent off of Get Smart, the 60's television series had a sidekick called 99, and whenever she had an ingenious idea or a moment of clarity the agent Maxwell Smart would say "good thinking 99". After seeing this on re-runs of the television show it become very popular and began to circulate among today's youth. It is used to praise someone for their good ideas, of new way of thinking. It's also used as sarcasm when a person points out the obvious, because Maxwell smart was not very bright and often required the help of agent 99 to point out the obvious.
99
adjective reference
99, Adj. used to describe someone of great intelligence. Someone very smart and ingenious it can also be used to describe someone very innovative and creative.
Etymology : 99 comes from the quote off of the 60's television show "Get Smart", it was the name of the main character's sidekick. Maxwell smart would always be quoted saying "good thinking, 99." 99 is used because it is very close to 100 and is an indication of intelligence because scoring 99 on any difficult test or project requires intelligence. It is a pop culture reference to an old television show, that your parents probably remember.
Source : "Good thinking 99, I never would have guessed that!" Conversation with friend from Canada, June 2007.
Last modified: 3 December 2008