So what does "epic" even mean anymore?

Had this discussion with some friends the other day. Honestly it seems like I'm hearing the word "epic" thrown around so much that I feel like it doesn't really have a meaning anymore. Unless I missed something, has this been the case for anyone else, or I am just thinking too much about something that doesn't really matter?

It has become too ambiguous. The solution: Stop using it.

I use it to describe something that is awesome, but at a higher degree... how the word epic deviated from its original definition to this? Beats me...

It means beast.
 
God I hate leet speak and what it has become.

it means something that's really awesome, or something that really sucks. . . and everything in between.

It's overused, yeah, but that doesn't make it lose its meaning for me. Rather, I tend to tune out and disregard most of what someone has to say after they use the word. A facepalm is in order if "fail" or "phail" or "FAILZ" follows.

it means awesome or huge.  We, as Forum Denizens, should stop using it.... and acronyms like  LOL

" @MrKlorox said:

" It means beast.  God I hate leet speak and what it has become. "

uhh...leet speak? "

Long, serious poems about heroes and legends. Beowulf, for example. 
 
As an adjective, it's ambiguous on purpose, much like the word "cool."

"epic" isn't epic anymore. It's overused.

Epic : word used to proclaim ones self as a douche.

It has meaning based on context; like many other words do. Though, as far as it being thrown around without regard, it'll reach the standard of terms like sell-out or emo as being without value.

The internet drained any capitol out of the word. The internet's a giant leech.

Some cock sandwich decided to ruin it for everyone. NOW IT IS MEANINGLESS.
Unless I see a metal band listed as "BRUTAL EPIC TRASH VIKING METAL" then I'll probably give it a listen.

It's only effective if you bring it to win capacity.

I agree, the word's become diluted to the point where it means nothing, for example, i heard someone call twilight a 'modern day epic saga' the other day... rest assured, this person didn't have a clue what  the word even meant anymore.

Epic win!

This thread is epic.

This thread is epic...epic for the win!

This is a good topic, i mean even my mom uses "lol" now and things like "Epic" "noob"  "ftw' "WTF" Ect. Mean almost close to nothing to me,, gotten WAY to main stream. 
now everyone and there mom who's picked up a controller or played MW2 thinks there a "tech gamer or something now ...   
its embarrassing to me ugh.

Another word increasing in meaninglessness is "so".... 
 
Why do people start their thread topics with it?

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  Had to be done. "

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  Had to be done. "

Epic for the win video

It seems like epic is thrown in front of movie trailer like just a well to sell tickets if you ask me.Almost like an advertisement these days.

Emos in my school use epic, win and fail. Just as it started dying out on forums I get them saying it. But what makes it worse is they will say epic fail when somebodies computer in ICT wont boot or something... 
And I thought epic meant...big or immense. 
  @Ryax said:

" Epic : word used to proclaim ones self as a douche. "

" This thread is epic...epic for the win! "

I think we should change it from epic to Savage. So when something is really really good, you say 'Savage'. And if something is really really really good you say mo-savage.

" I think we should change it from epic to Savage. So when something is really really good, you say 'Savage'. And if something is really really really good you say mo-savage. "

Not much gets my goat like this does, besides mixing up their there and they're.

" @Burns098356GX said:

" I think we should change it from epic to Savage. So when something is really really good, you say 'Savage'. And if something is really really really good you say mo-savage. "

I think we did that for like 3 months in 1992, then we threw it away with our swatches. "

epic is a form of prose that usually exceeds 500 pages. I have no idea why internet people chose to add it to their slang. Also us forum folk should be one of the few to be allowed to use lol.

I think it's alright when it's not overused, but it's difficult not to overuse SOME words, and when you're a gamer surrounded by other gamers (in my case anyway, being on a games design course) it's pretty hard to escape.
There will always be words that get overused, "cool" used to be said way too often, it's not so bad now, it feels like a milder, alternative word for epic.
 
It continues to amaze me how much the word awesome is used, especially since I live in the UK, that word was NEVER used over here just a few years ago, it's an American thing and I still feel uncomfortable saying it sometimes, but I find myself saying it because everyone else does!
 
I use the word lol too much on instant messengers too, that's pretty much lost it's original meaning of "laugh out loud" and is now more like "that mildly amused me".
 
Anyway, the bottom line is society goes through phases with different words, probably always will. Think about "groovy" and "radical"... yeah try using those now without getting a funny look (not that I ever used them, but they were used so much even people my age know about them). "Epic" will probably fade away after a while.

The word epic, has never been epic.

It's a phrase for dickheads.

" This thread is epic...epic for the win! "

People saying "epic" now just pisses me off.

hate the word.

" @Godlyawesomeguy said:

" @MrKlorox said:

" It means beast.  God I hate leet speak and what it has become. "

uhh...leet speak? "

Yes. Epic, for the win, calling something "beast", pwn, noob, FAIL, etc...  are all examples of modern leet speak. "

" It has become too ambiguous. The solution: Stop using it. "