Get the *&@$ out of here

Today's Wall Street Journal tells us to say "Shut Up!" when we are shocked or amused; or just want to hear more. Column writer, Shelly Branch says that thanks to many sources (I personally remember Elaine from "Seinfeld") "Shut Up!" has become the new and preferred way to say "Oh my God!", "Get out of town!" or "No way!".

This change from negative associations to a more accepted and passive meaning over time is called amelioration. It seems like the phrase has altered its meaning so drastically and widespread that the New Oxford American Dictionary is considering a new entry for "Shut Up!" in its next edition whereby possible entries might include: "used to express amazement or disbelief" or "oh, so true!".

Branch offers a few other examples where this has happened in the past:

"nice" meant "stupid" up to the 13th century
"bad" during the 80's
and "dope".

All I can say is that's some "stupid fresh dope" slang. "Shut Up!"