Pop culture was influenced in more ways than one by the release of the supernatural comedy film Ghostbusters. Directed by Ivan Reitman and starring an ensemble cast including Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, and Ernie Hudson. Ghostbusters broke box-office records and became a cultural phenomenon spanning four decades. The blockbuster forever enchanted audiences with its quirky humor, pioneering visual effects, catchy theme song with a strange true story behind it, and spooky stories.
Ghostbusters still holds up today for its memorable characters, famous quotes, iconic spooky monsters, and even its iconic Ghostbusters logo. Beyond its entertainment value, the 1980s classic has a special place in pop culture, with references to it being found often in other films, TV shows, and everyday conversation. Not only that, but it also had an effect on a realm that often goes unnoticed: language.
Ghostbusters Added “-busters” To The Western Lexicon
The use of the suffix “-busters” exploded in popularity after Ghostbusters, with the word infiltrating common vernacular. The suffix “-busters” had already seen some use before Ghostbusters, tracing back to the 1920s term “Booze Buster,” in The Oxford Dictionary, which described someone who fought crime or wrongdoing. However, Ghostbusters took its usage to a whole new level. Scholar W.A. Brewer started noticing the suffix’s usage growing exponentially, to the point that by July the following year, 50 different words incorporating “-busters” were cataloged. The term became predominantly plural and was often used commercially and in marketing messages.
In fact, the “-busters” phenomenon could be compared to the impact of the Watergate scandal, which gave birth to the suffix “-gate” being instantly attributed to any scandal. Just like how Watergate led to the coining of similar phrases each time there was a new political scandal, the “-busters” suffix was added to a variety of words, usually to describe an effort to oppose or fight the subject. “Crimebusters” is one of the most common examples of how it’s been used since Ghostbusters. Even the legendary director Ivan Reitman could not have predicted that one of his movies would change shift the language’s lexicon.
Influencing Language Shows How Massive Ghostbusters’ Influence Still Is
Ghostbusters‘ impact on the English language extended to the whole Western cultural landscape. As one of the most evident markers of culture, Language captures the essence of its time and provides context to various forms of human interaction. Ghostbusters‘ ability to contribute a suffix to everyday language signifies the film’s widespread influence beyond box office numbers or merchandise sales. The shift is a testament to how pop culture can directly influence language, which in turn reflects societal thinking and values. Not only did Ghostbusters provide eternally unforgettable phrases and characters, but it also became a part of the audience’s cultural history.
