Mr. Write's Page

Down through the ages, in virtually all cultures, the older generation has been in charge. Young people knew to shut up and lay low, or else.

In the western world, that social hierarchy finally changed in the 1920s. In the prosperous times following World War I, the stars aligned in a certain way, and for the first time, a “youth culture” emerged.

During the Roaring Twenties, society suddenly broke with tradition. Went modern. The good times flourished. The new ideal of modern femininity was the flapper, who was brash and drove a car and drank and smoked and was proud of it.

These dramatic changes were underscored by the slang of the time. For example, the 1920s gave rise to an array of clever new euphemisms for being drunk: plastered, lit, tanked, blotto, polluted, pie-eyed, potted, ossified, spifflicated, zozzled.

Being a wordsmith, I’m always fascinated by slang expressions and their origins. For the sheer volume and creativity of its slang, the 1920s is hard to beat.

Below are some of the terms that originated in that period. I think you’ll find the list to be a doozy. The bee’s knees. The cat’s meow.

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All wet — Describes something you disapprove of.
And how — I strongly agree.
Attaboy/attagirl — well done!

Baloney — Nonsense.
Bank’s closed — Keep your hands to yourself, fella.
Bearcat  — A feisty female.
Beat it — Scram! Get lost!
Bee’s knees — Describes something you approve of. “It’s the bee’s knees.”
Beeswax — Business, as in “None of your beeswax.”
Big cheese — The boss. The most influential person.
Bluenose — A prude or goody-goody. A killjoy.
Breezer — A convertible.
Bronx cheer — Rude noise made to express disapproval. Same as a raspberry
Bull session – A talkfest among the guys.
Bum’s rush – The act of being forcibly ejected from an establishment.
Butt me – Gimme a cigarette.

Carry a torch — To have a crush on someone.
Cat’s meow/cat’s pajamas — Describes something great and wonderful.
Chassis — the female figure.
Cheaters – Eyeglasses.
Clams — Money.

Dame — A female.
Dead soldier — An empty glass or bottle.
Dogs — Feet.
Doll — an attractive woman.
Don’t take any wooden nickels — Be careful not to get cheated.
Doozy — Something that is especially good, bad, or extreme in some fashion.
Dough — Money.
Dry up — Shut up. Get lost.

Fire extinguisher — A chaperone.
Flat tire — A disappointing date.
Flyboy — An aviator.

Gams — A woman’s legs.
Giggle water — Alcohol.
Gin mill — A bar.
Glad rags — Fancy “on the town” clothes.
Golddigger — A woman who dates or marries a man for money.

Handcuff — An engagement ring.
Hayburner — A losing racehorse; a gas-guzzling car.
Hen coop — Beauty salon.
Hoofer — Dancer.

Jake — Okay, as in “Everything’s Jake.”
Jane — A female.
Java/Joe — Coffee.
John — A toilet; the patron of a prostitute.

Keen — Attractive or appealing.
Kisser — The mouth.

Left holding the bag — Taking the blame for something, falsely or not.
Live wire — A spirited person.

Meat wagon — Ambulance.
Mrs. Grundy — A narrow-minded, straight-laced, critical person.
Moll — A gangster’s girlfriend.

Necking — Kissing passionately.
Nifty — great, excellent.
Nobody’s home — Said of someone who isn’t bright.

On the lam — Fleeing from the police.
On the level — Legitimate. Honest.
Orchid — An expensive item.

Pill — Description of someone who is being difficult or unpleasant.
Pinch — To arrest.
Pipe down — Stop talking.
Putting on the Ritz — Going in grand style (suitable for the swanky hotel chain).

Raspberry — A rude noise made to express disapproval. Same as a Bronx cheer.
Ritzy — Luxurious and expensive (suitable for the swanky hotel chain).
Sap — A gullible, foolish person.
Says you — A reaction of disbelief.
Scram — Get lost, bub.
Spiffy — Sharp and elegant in appearance.
Spooning — Cuddling up (like spoons nesting together).
Struggle buggy — A car (oblique reference to a vehicle as a place for necking).
Swanky — Luxurious and expensive (suitable for the ritzy hotel chain).
Swell — Most excellent.

Tomato — A female.
Torpedo — A hitman.

Wet blanket — A negative person who spoils a good time.
What’s eating you? — What’s wrong?
Whoopee — Wild revelry.

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Two thoughts come to mind:

First, for every term on the list that is dated and silly, another term is still common today.

And second, the “youth culture” is still with us, stronger than ever.