Is "baddest" same as "worst"? Are both acceptable?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
"Who's the baddest of them all" actually references the movie "Snow White" - the evil Queen famously asks "who's the fairest of them all?" to the magic mirror every day. "Baddest" isn't considered to be standard English, the proper word would be "most bad" here to mean the degree of being "bad" that one can be. Although "the worst" could be used here, it doesn't sound entirely natural because "bad" in this context is meant to have a meaning similar to "tough" or "fierce," as the singer uses this expression to challenge or taunt her enemies. Thus, "toughest" or "most bad" would be more appropriate here. Also, note that as slang, "bad" is also used to mean "the best" or to describe someone who is physically attractive. Ex: She's not a bad kid, she just doesn't like to listen to others. Ex: Dang, she's fine. She's the baddest woman I've ever seen.
