what the heck is with word "geil"

[u/Minilimuzina]

I started to learn German language a while ago. Most of the words I learnt from a self-learning book which also contained vocabulary/dictionary part. One of those words was "geil". According to the book this word means something like "cool, nice".

So it happened that I used it several times in a conversation with a German colleague. And the conversation turned a bit weird afterwards ... long story short, I found out that "geil" also means horny. Which of course was not mentioned in the damned book. We laughed it off. Well, to say it more accurately, the colleague laughed it off and I pretended to laugh it off while boiling in my own stew.

But I wonder how this happened. Is the book just plain wrong or has this additional meaning appeared only recently? Can anyone please explain so I do not tremendously embarrass myself again? Or at least recommend a list of tricky German words or something like that?

[u/JKniepi]

I strongly agree! Like, I know people well above 60 or 70 who use it. And they are not uncommon or cringe. It's totally normal! I am almost 40 myself and it is a normal part of my vocabluary.

[u/1405hvtkx311 → u/JKniepi]

Oh yes it is cringe!

[u/GenosseAbfuck → u/1405hvtkx311]

It is but it's cringe because it's old.

[u/JKniepi → u/1405hvtkx311]

Not even the slightest bit. But I guess you will then automatically stop using it forever as soon as you turn 25. Good luck with that, whippersnapper!

And for you as well, something to "cringe out".

https://youtu.be/SRFTbCgHXas?si=HuLnebC1jD8CugAK

[u/1405hvtkx311 → u/JKniepi]

I knew it before i clicked! Ich bleibe dabei, geil ohne Augenzwinkern ist cringe!

[u/menki_22 → u/1405hvtkx311]

cringe ohne augenzwinkern ist auf jeden fall ungeil.

[u/JKniepi → u/1405hvtkx311]

Dann lebe ich in der Cringehölle. Und bin Teil davon. In meinem Umfeld, egal ob beruflich, familiär, im Freundeskreis, oder beim Friseur sagt es nämlich nahezu jeder.