Vocabulary/slang: lame, pathetic, sad

I'm not sure whether this is 'vocabulary' or 'slang' - my feeling is that these words are more common for young people - but here are some useful words.

If you want to criticise something, these are some useful adjectives:

lame

sad

pathetic

All three of these words have other meanings. 'Lame' originally means 'unable to walk normally'. 'Sad' means 'unhappy'. 'Pathetic' means 'something that makes you feel pity/sorry for someone'.

But they can also be used to criticise something. They can be used in a sarcastic way, a joking and fun way, or as a mean insult.

Lame and sad mean weak, unimpressive. If someone tells a lame joke, it really wasn't very funny. If a person is lame, they are uncool, rather stupid.

Oh dear, this new song is rather lame.

You stayed home to play RPGs? Your idea of fun is pretty sad.

So you wrote those mean notes? That is really sad. You are a really pathetic person.

In these examples, the idea is that you (sarcastically) feel sorry for the person - they are so stupid, or mean, or uncool, that you feel sad for them.

Pathetic has a similar meaning, but is usually a bit stronger and more negative.

His performance during the match was pathetic.

How about you? Do you have any habits or interests that are, well, lame? ^_-