This has been a NorCal phrase since I first visited in 1983 as a sophomore in HS. At that time it was so very cool and West Coast sounding to my ears, and instantly understandable in context.
Kids with stricter upbringings had to settle for saying "Hecka" which is still funny to me.
Interesting side-note: the same Cali kids that introduced me to the slang word "Hella" also used the word "tight" as a slang word with negative connotation, as in:
"My parent's grounded me for a month"
"Oh man, that's hella TIGHT"
But over the years "tight" has managed to flip to a positive connotation and mean 'cool', 'sweet' etc.
Kids with stricter upbringings had to settle for saying "Hecka" which is still funny to me.
Interesting side-note: the same Cali kids that introduced me to the slang word "Hella" also used the word "tight" as a slang word with negative connotation, as in:
"My parent's grounded me for a month" "Oh man, that's hella TIGHT"
But over the years "tight" has managed to flip to a positive connotation and mean 'cool', 'sweet' etc.
"Hella" still means "HELLA" though.