I’d argue they’d know what it means but wouldn’t know the origin. Words evolve. I just learned this etymology now but I’ve always known what it meant implicitly when said. Tbh I assumed it was more local/rural slang when I was younger because I mainly heard it from other kids, not in media, etc.
I guess what I mean is if you asked them with regard to the etymology… Ratchet is a word. It has a meaning highly disparate from “shitty.” Like, it’s a tool. A noun. It does things.
So kids using this word against its actual meaning, ask them why and they won’t understand.
Like if I asked you why you were using the word ratchet (say yesterday), which is a tool that helps turn bolts, in place of the word “shitty” and you’d be all 🤷♂️🤷♂️
I’d argue they’d know what it means but wouldn’t know the origin. Words evolve. I just learned this etymology now but I’ve always known what it meant implicitly when said. Tbh I assumed it was more local/rural slang when I was younger because I mainly heard it from other kids, not in media, etc.
I guess what I mean is if you asked them with regard to the etymology… Ratchet is a word. It has a meaning highly disparate from “shitty.” Like, it’s a tool. A noun. It does things.
So kids using this word against its actual meaning, ask them why and they won’t understand.
Like if I asked you why you were using the word ratchet (say yesterday), which is a tool that helps turn bolts, in place of the word “shitty” and you’d be all 🤷♂️🤷♂️