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K-rad literally means 1000 times rad, just as a kbyte or kilobyte refers to around 1000 bytes.

K-rad was made popular in the 1980s by computer hacker circles. The word 'rad' reffered to a radical act performed by a hacker which deserved congratulations.

The term k-rad originated around the same time people started talking in numbers l1k3 th15. This type of language first started apearing on BBSes and FTP warez sites.
I h4v3 +h3 m05+ 733+, k-r4d 5k1llz 0n th3 n3+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(I have the most leet, k-rad skillz on the net!)
k-rad by listen.to/petecrane March 3, 2003
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Short for "kilo rad", as in "kilo byte." This is old school 1337 slang, first popularized on BBS's.
h0KAY U K-RAD K00L GIE!
k-rad by boohiss December 9, 2003
For when one rad is just not enough.
That car is K-Rad
k-rad by me April 9, 2004
Term expressing 1337-nes or Ub3r-5k1lz. Common among WareZ d00dz.
1 4r3 t3h k-r4d kr4ck3r W4reZ d00d!! OMG HAXXXX!!!!
k-rad by counterspell September 13, 2004
Variation of "rad", itself an abbreviated form of "radical". Northern Californian in origin, specific to Berkeley, especially University of California math/computer science students. Usually considered "geeky".
Often used in conjunction with the modifier "hella", as in "Last month's Critical Mass bike ride was hella k-rad!"
k-rad by Carlos Pecciotto October 1, 2005
orgin; oldskool haxx0r typea (adj.)Some say it comes from a combination of the words 'kool' and 'rad' (K-Rad); Meaning not just kool, not just rad, but kool AND rad. :)
I am k-rad, ph33r my l33tness!
k-rad by deexm February 15, 2003
A failed attempt at doing something rad.

The K comes from the symbol used for a strike against a batter in baseball.

Also used to mean something very rad, with the K coming from the abbreviation for thousand (a thousand times rad).

The disparity between the two meanings is similar to that of "bad" meaning both good and actually bad.

Originates from BBS days, with overuse leading to confusion and hence the split definition. Only should be used on-line. Meaning should be clear from context.
That was so k-rad, you lamer.
K-rad by Jason Nappier October 2, 2004