Common U.S. Slang : What is the origin of "dude".

[Bruce]

Hallo everybody,

Do any of our American readers and writers know
anything about the origin of the word "dude" as an
expression for a fellow (fella), man, bloke, chap etc.

http://test.lydbury.co.uk/grammar/forum_posts.asp?TID=3370

I thought that it would be common knowledge but
when I "Google" the word it says the origin is unknown
but apparently originated in New York. Aside from that
as I thought also it is an offshoot of the expression -
Dandy (from Jack-a-Dandy) - basically a man who pays
too much attention to his dress, rather like a woman.

The surname of the famous German language reformer
called Konrad Duden even came under consideration.

I don?t have too much time to do research, so your
help would be appreciated.
The word came to my attention again recently.
I thought it originated in California and not New York.

Thanks a lot, Bruce.
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[Diverhank]

Here's a good link on the word:
http://www.answers.com/topic/dude

[Bruce]

Greetings diverhank,

Many thanks for the Link.
Answers.Com really is a knock-out Website.

I was also going to ask about the origin of "Guy"
but I guess Answers.Com will have it all, so I?ll check it out.
If you do happen to have a Link for me, then please send it over.

So, you?re down in California.
Do you also do Scuba Diving?

Not many people know but Scuba is an Acronym
(an abbreviation that forms another word).

It means : Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.

Best wishes, Bruce.
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[Prezbucky]

Though I'm deferring to hank's link, my initial reaction (in the form of an answer) was this:

1) Dude ranch --> cowboys working on said ranch --> men in general
2) There was a rumor -- during my junior high years -- that the actual definition of "dude" was something along the lines of "ingrown anal hair" or some such monstrosity. This amused us, though I doubt anyone actually had that "definition" in mind when he or she applied the term.
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Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.

[Prezbucky]

when I think of "dude", it comes with "hey" to form the tayotally keewl Cahlifornia surfer phrase, "hey, deewd" (how they typically pronounce it -- they do not say "dood", but "deewd" (even though there is no "e" in "u" or "oo").
_________________
Billie Jean is not my lover. Hee.