Dictionary

party like it's 1999 en · VERB

Etymology

From the Prince song called 1999 and released in 1982. The song uses the phrase in reference to a nuclear apocalypse predicted to occur in the year 2000, but it was later reinterpreted as meaning that the turn of the millennium calls for a particularly large celebration.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic, qualifier:simile) To party intensely, particularly when reckless or pessimistic.
   • The European Union is not an organisation to do things by halves, particularly when it comes to a celebration. This time Europe will party like it's 1999. Or more precisely 1 May, 2004. 2004 April 18, Kamal Ahmed, “EU approves €6m welcome party for new members”, in The Guardian:
   • This past year the girls in Laughlin worked hard at protesting Chatham's prohibition and at getting a reputation for the best parties in town. They succeeded at living up to their theme — Party Like it's 1999! 1983, “Laughlin Hall”, in Amita Chaudhary, editor, Cornerstone, Chatham College, page 117:
   • […] I was deep in the streets with ole friends and new ones, drinking (as usual), spot hopping and partying like it was 1999. 2014, Ms. Betty [pseudonym], Ain't that bout' a b*tch, Xlibris, →ISBN, page 92:

Forms

Relateds

yolo · like there is no tomorrow · as if there were no tomorrow

wikipedia: Prince (musician) · wikipedia: 1999 (Prince song)