An elusive and constantly changing constant in teenagers' minds, coolness is "achieved" (in the words of Parker Lewis) by doing something cool. Only cool kids can do something cool: Once a cool thing propagates down to the uncool kids and they start doing it, it immediately ceases to be cool. When that happens, the cool kids find another completely different cool thing to do, which usually is to use a cool word, such as "coolness".

Cool"ness, n.

1.

The state of being cool; a moderate degree of cold; a moderate degree, or a want, of passion; want of ardor, zeal, or affection; calmness.

2.

Calm impudence; self-possession.

[Colloq.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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