Why would you lie to yourselves dude? Also dudes, where did the word dude come from?

While Bill and Ted might not know the answer, we have a good idea right here. And, while the term "dude" might be associated with California and surfers in most people's minds, that's not where it came from.

Though dude's exact origin is unknown, a first use appeared in 1883 to refer to a "fastidious man" (or a man really concerned with his appearance--one dressing in a "fancy" style). This might have to do with the fact that "dude" could be a variation of the word "dud" which, at the time, was slang for clothing (ever heard someone be complimented on her nice duds?). On a side note, the female equivalent for dude in the 1880s (and no, it was not the now familiar "dudette" or "dudie") were "dudine" and "dudess."

Later, in the 1920s, the term evolved to describe a "city slicker"--most likely a man from the east coast who ended up on the west coast (for vacation, probably). Dude ranches were popular at the time, giving city dwellers a chance to live out the Wild West life.

The familiar surfer slang usage was first recorded in 1970, but did not really gain in popularity until the 1980s. This surge in popularity is most likely attributed to the word being used in TV and film, for example, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cartoon series, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure and, more recently, Dude, Where's My Car?

While dictionary.com defines the term dude as "a man excessively concerned with his clothes, grooming and manners" or as a "fellow; chap," dude is now used in a more gender-neutral fashion. It's not unlikely to hear a girl addressing her fellow girls as "dudes," such as "Hey, dude" or "Dude, what is wrong with you?" (The term "dudette"--used to refer to "female dudes"--though once popular in the '80s, has dropped from standard usage.)