- Done for amusement, fun, or excitement, without any serious purpose or reason.
Explanation
Origin
- Emerged in American English slang around the mid-20th century.
- Kicks here refers to thrills or pleasurable excitement, possibly related to the physical sensation of a kick or jolt of energy/enjoyment.
- Associated with youth culture, beatniks, and later rock and roll (e.g., the song Route 66 includes the line get your kicks on Route 66).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- For shits and giggles (Often shortened to S&Gs. Very informal, implies purely for amusement, possibly slightly mischievous)
- For the lulz (Internet slang, derived from LOL, implies doing something for amusement, often involving trolling or mild chaos)
- Just messin' around. / Just goofin' off.
Vulgar/Emphatic (Less common, usually implies recklessness):
- Didn't give a fuck, just did it.
Milder:
- For amusement.
- On impulse.
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal. Suitable for casual conversation among friends or peers.
- Avoid in formal settings or when discussing serious matters, as it implies a lack of serious intent. For the hell of it and especially For shits and giggles are more informal/vulgar.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Low risk. The context usually makes it clear that kicks means fun/excitement, not literal physical kicks.
Examples
- We drove all the way to the beach just for kicks.
- He dyed his hair blue for kicks, not for any particular reason.
- They started singing loudly on the bus, just for kicks.
Dialogue
Person A: Why did you buy that ridiculous hat?
Person B: Oh, just for kicks. I thought it was funny.
Person A: Fair enough! Are you actually going to wear it?
Person B: Maybe to the party on Saturday, just for kicks!
Social Media Examples
- Post: Dyed a streak of my hair purple just for kicks. Why not? 🤷♀️ #hairdye #fun
- Tweet: Remember when we drove to Vegas for kicks back in college? Good times. #throwbackthursday
- Comment on a funny video: They probably did this just for kicks lol
Response Patterns
- Amusement/Laughter: Haha, nice! / Sounds like fun.
- Mild disapproval/Surprise: Really? Just like that? / You guys are crazy.
- Sharing similar experiences: Oh yeah, we used to do stuff like that too.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they did something for kicks:
- The listener might ask for more details about the fun activity: Was it fun? / What else did you do?
- Or express amusement/mild disbelief: Seriously? What possessed you?
After responding with amusement (Sounds like fun):
- The original speaker might elaborate on the experience (Yeah, it was hilarious when...) or downplay it (Eh, it was just a silly thing.).
Conversation Starter
- No. Explains the motivation *behind* an action, usually in response to a Why? question or as part of a story.
Intonation
- Often said with a lighthearted, casual, or slightly mischievous tone.
- Stress typically falls on kicks.
- We did it just for KICKS.
Generation Differences
- Associated with mid-20th century slang but still widely understood and used, especially by Gen X and older Millennials. Younger generations might use for the lulz or simply for fun.
Regional Variations
- Primarily American English in origin, but understood in other regions.