An intensifier, with a grammatical function and usage similar to "very" or "really".
It's a contraction of "hell of", and may have originated in Alameda County, California. It was definitely in common use in Berkeley public schools as far back as 1979.
It's a contraction of "hell of", and may have originated in Alameda County, California. It was definitely in common use in Berkeley public schools as far back as 1979.
by Chris December 24, 2004
Hellas is country, Hellins the residents.
by iMarios January 2, 2007
My own extensive research has found that the term 'hella' or 'hellof' did not originate in San Francisco, but rather Oakland, as the first anyone remembers hearing it was Oaklnd in 1976, then later. in the early 80s in San Francisco.
by steve September 24, 2004
A word originating in the San Francisco Bay Area and used by Northern Californians. It is often a symbol of one's Bay Area words. It is a word of convenience, since it can be used in many parts of speech. As an adjective, it means "a lot of, many, various." As an adverb, it means "really, actually, very, in a high degree." It may also mean "I agree."
It may be useful to note that the expression "hella days" usually denotes a length of time much longer than several days.
It may be useful to note that the expression "hella days" usually denotes a length of time much longer than several days.
Adjective:
"I just saw hella people running out of that building, is there a fire?"
Adverb:
"I ate too much. I'm hella full right now."
Affirmation:
"That was the best night of my life."
"Hella! Me too."
"I just saw hella people running out of that building, is there a fire?"
Adverb:
"I ate too much. I'm hella full right now."
Affirmation:
"That was the best night of my life."
"Hella! Me too."
by srhlwrc February 16, 2009
In Northern California, people tend to name quantities of various items slightly different. The 1st is one, the 2nd is two, the 3rd and beyond are hella.
by tttheresa December 20, 2006
You just use it cause it's a term that you grew up in the neighborhood saying. It's like being from Pennsylvania and saying "youse" instead of "you". Hella originated in the bay area like hella years ago. It was just something that grew on you and you still use it today cause you never grew out of it. Some guy from Vegas tried to tell me hella started in Vegas and I was like "Fuck that. Dude you gotta be fucking retarded, hell no."
by youpeoplearefuckingstupid June 14, 2004