An "awesome" poll.

[MardyBra]

Do you regularly use the word "awesome"?

And how old are you?

(I have a theory that there's a cut off point around a certain age. And that older gimmers use it only in the context of something like a cathedral or natural wonders which inspire awe. )

[EmilyAlice]

Not often and I am 64. I would use it mostly in the sense of human endeavour I think, so it would be the achievement that inspires awe in me. (Builders of medieval cathedral for example.)
Would the same apply to the word iconic?

[JassyRadlett]

I think you need to check country of origin as well.

When I first moved to the UK my 'exuberant' word choices were commented on. Strangely, I don't use 'awesome' any more...

[lljkk]

I'm about the same age as Moon Unit Zappa; I bet neither of us uses it much nowadays.
But I do a MEAN line in Whatevers. Puts DC to shame.

[TunipTheUnconquerable]

Occasionally, I'm 41.

[lljkk]

Gosh, I just looked it up, I really AM the same age as MUZ!
Need to throw a few more "like"s into my daily convo.

[BrennanHasAMangina]

I love awesome and use it liberally in casual conversation. I'm 37. I have a Canadian accent though. No offence intended, but I think it sounds odd when spoken with an English accent.

[dobedobedo]

I use it fairly often, but only talking about genuinely awesome stuff

I'm 30, from Northern Ireland.

[MardyBra]

"I think it sounds odd when spoken with an English accent."

Me too Brennan. But I am in my late 40s. As far as I can remember, it wasn't used regularly when I was younger, but it seems to be very common in the UK now.

[MardyBra]

In fact, I'd probably be more likely to say awe-inspiring, thinking about it.

[Mrsfrumble]

Jassy did you move from the US? Because I've recently moved from UK to US and now I say it all the time!

[magimedi]

I would also use awe-inspiring. I am late 50's.

I think that 'awesome' has become more & more used in the last ten years or so.

[Mrsfrumble]

... And if I use 'British' exuberant words like 'splendid!' and 'marvelous!' I get comments from the locals.

[pinkgirlythoughts]

very rarely. I'm 27.
Although the children in my class use it quite a bit. They're 6.

[lljkk]

I love to say smashing. I'm sure it sounds extremely wrong in my north american accent. Took me ages to get my tongue around "Brill".

My almost 6yo thinks everything is "epic".

[GlitzAndGiggles]

I don't use it I think I sound silly saying it. I prefer the word 'epic'. Not that I say that much either and I'm 21

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogroves]

I'm 52, Scottish, living in London. I never say awesome except with my tongue in my cheek.

[Lioninthesun]

I'm 32 and only use it if something is really above expectations - not in the I am awesome/everything I do is awesome/of course everything I touch is awesome kind of way. I didn't like it when ex did it all of the time, but think it may have rubbed off a little (no pun intended there).

[alexpolistigers]

I'm 25, honest 37 and I never ever use it. I might say "awe-inspiring", in much the same sort of contexts as EmilyAlice.

[OvO]

I say it a fair bit. And always with a dodgy American accent.

I'm 33.

I only use it at home never in public. .

[ElaClaw]

Far more often than I should, I certainly not just when filled with awe

I am 35

[Yama]

No, I don't regularly use the word awesome. I will use it if I find something awe inspiring.

I'm 37.

My sister (late 20's) uses it but I can't work out if she's being ironic or not.

[ElaClaw]

and not I

[MmeLindor]

I use it sometimes, but prefer a very British 'brilliant'.

My US friends started saying 'brilliant', and were told they sounded very British.

I quite like using 'that's grand'.

[alexpolistigers]

Mme Lindor - I would see "that's grand" as Irish! I tend to say "that's great", but my everyday English might be dated now from living abroad for so long!

[Lioninthesun]

OvO - yes, you MUST use the dodgy accent when you read it as well as say it! Like you, I don't do it in public, unless with a friend who knows I am being a bit OTT.