From: Paratroopa1 | #010
It is sort of a legacy term I guess, but I see it like the evolution of any other language. What else would you call the extremely common video game cliche of having a particularly strong enemy at the end of levels? It's just "boss." The word "boss" means that now. In fact, I'd say the word is common enough in our overall language that the dictionary is being negligent in not including this definition of the word "boss."
(Other video game words that are funny if you break them down: enemy, level)
I agree, mos def. I'm not arguing against using the word, I'm just confused as to why we do. Well, the second definition that Azp posted illuminates it a bit, but that still seems a bit off to me. Sure, Bowser is ostensibly the boss of all the koopas and goombas and what have yous, but not all video game bosses are bosses. The first boss in Ninja Gaiden? The Colossi? Any Mega Man boss ever other than Dr. Wily or Sigma? Every boss fight in every Final Fantasy game other than Rufus?
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