This is a question that may not have an answer, and it is possible that the young people who read it may not even know that this word once meant something else.
**When did “I’m down” turn from something bad to something good?** Because as a non American I know that up until some point in time “I’m down”, always meant “I’m depressed”, but lately I’ve noticed that a lot of people use it, especially on places like dating sites. And as someone who is not considered young anymore I really had to google it and see what people really mean.
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Around the time that hooking up became sexual.
Early 90s or so
It probably originated earlier than that but became common in the 90s
It’s a shortening of “I’m down for that” or similar
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It still means what you’re saying as well. Sad feeling
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This exact song is possibly what made it common amongst the masses:
The chorus at 1:25
https://youtu.be/idx3GSL2KWs
(from 1991)
As far as I can recall, that song was a nationwide hit.. every Gen X person knows it
I’m always down to clown!
“I’m down” in this context is short for “I’m down for that.” It’s just a casual way to say you’re open to doing something.
“I’m down” can still also mean that someone is feeling blue or depressed, again depending on the context in which it’s used. Using “I’m down” to say you’re open to something hasn’t supplanted using “I’m down” to say that you’re feeling depressed – both terms still exist, and the context of both are understood by pretty much everyone.
Edit: Whoops, I didn’t answer the other part of the question. I’m in my mid-30s and “I’m down” has been used colloquially like this for as long as I can remember, so I’m gonna say it came into common usage in the 80s or 90s (and possibly before, but I wasn’t around to witness that)
I don’t think there’s been a time that I’ve been alive that “I’m down” hasn’t meant “I’m willing to do something.” it can of course mean “sad” as well, but it depends on context.
there are Urban Dictionary definitions of it with this usage from 2003, and I’m sure there are far earlier uses that exist.
>short for “I’m down with that”, meaning, “I am in agreeance with the current topic of discussion.”
>*”So Mad Dog, you want to go throw rocks at a man?”
“I’m down.”*
>by Mikey McNasty November 12, 2003 ([x](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=I%27m%20down))
You can still use it to mean both. Context is key here. But I would guess in its slang terms probably early 90s
I’m down can still mean depressed. If you tell me “I’m feeling a bit down.” I will know what you mean. Context is important.
I’ve been using it both ways for at least 20 years. It usually depends on context.
June 12, 1998. Never forget.
Feels like it’s been that way my whole life at at least 20 years and change
It depends a lot on context clues and even then I don’t think they’re said or phrased the same way
If someone asks me if I want to do something or go somewhere I’d say “I’m down”
If someone asks me about a recently deceased pet I’d say “I’m feeling down”
>And as someone who is not considered young anymore I really had to google it and see what people really mean.
I mean… I’m almost 40 and I’ve used that phrase. It’s been around at least since the 90s. It’s short for “I’m down for that”. Which means “I’d enjoy that” basically. Almost always used in response to someone asking or suggesting an activity.
Like “I was thinking of going to Taco Bell”
“Yeah I’m down” (I would go too)
Always has been.
Context is the key.
People have been saying that for as long as I can remember and I’m in my late 30s.
well there is the popular song Down with the sickness, so it’s been popular at the very least since the year 2000
I’m not sure it did, it just grew an extra context.
“I’m down. Everything sucks right now. So I’m down to eat a pint of ice cream on the couch and watch garbage TV.”
Been a thing for decades at least.
Might’ve sprung from “Mark me down” or “put me down”.
The phrase has multiple meanings. They may not be down to go to the party because they’re feeling down about a breakup.
I’m down for that vs I’m feeling down.
I think it was a seinfeld episode iirc
It was in the later 1960’s, and it was and still is contextual.
“I’m down” means something totally different when it’s a retort to “how are you doing, how are you feeling?” as opposed to “Hey, want to meet up, go to “X” with us?”
“I’m feeling kind of down.” vs “Yeah I’m down with that!” or “Nah, I can’t get down with that.”
Source; I’m old as fuck and used it both ways in those ancient times, and still do. ¯\_( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)_/¯
In my 45 years of life, “I’m down” has either meant “I’m sad” or “I’m willing to engage in that activity” depending on context.
So probably in the 70’s. Maybe before.
Maybe it’s colloquial to where I’m from but if someone is agreeing to or signing up for something they sign their name or ‘put their names down’. If you’ve agreed to an extra weekend shift for example, you put your name ‘down’ on paper and so “I’ve put my name down for that” becomes “I’m down for that”.
I’m guessing the late 80’s/early 90’s. There was a Seinfeld episode where George becomes friends with Elaine’s obnoxiously cool boyfriend, Tony, who asks George if he’s “down” to go rock climbing. They repeat the expression several times in the scene to multiple laughs from the laugh track, which makes it seem like the expression was novel enough to be considered funny at that time.
20 years ago? At least?
I don’t remember ever hearing someone say “I’m down” to mean they’re sad or depressed. Instead they say “I’m feeling down”.
I’m not sure when we started to say “I’m down” to mean “I’m down to do that”, but probably longer than I’ve been alive. There’s also a third: “I’m down with that” to mean something like “I’m okay with that” or “I agree with that”
I am 40 years old. The phrase “I’m down” has always had a positive connotation for me. It means that you are going to participate in whatever event/action has been suggested. It has never meant any sort of negative response for me, ever.
Late 1990’s – early 2000’s maybe is when I remember it becoming more common to hear “I’m down with/for that” or “I’m down” to mean agreement with something. It may predate that time period but that is when I remember it.