"Joe" and Other 1920's Slang |
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Ab-so-lute-ly - affirmative |
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All Wet - describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, "he's all wet." |
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And How - I strongly agree! |
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Applesauce- an expletive same as horsefeathers, As in "Ah applesauce!" |
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Attaboy - well done!; also Attagirl!
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Baby - sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect. |
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Balled Up - confused, messed up |
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Baloney - nonsense! |
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Bank's Closed - no kissing or making out - i.e. - "Sorry, Mac, the bank's closed." |
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Bearcat - a hot-blooded or fiery girl |
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Beat it - scam or get lost |
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Beat one's gums - idle chatter |
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Bee's Knees - An extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate |
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Beef - a complaint or to complain |
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Beeswax - business, i.e. None of your beeswax." |
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Bellbottom - a sailor |
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Berries - That which is attractive or pleasing; similar to bee's knees, As in "It's the berries." |
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Bible Belt - Area in the South and Midwest where Fundamentalism flourishes |
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Big Cheese - The most important or influential person; boss. Same as big shot |
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Big six - a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful; six cylinder engines |
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Bimbo - a tough guy |
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Bird - general term for a man or woman, sometimes meaning "odd," i.e. "What a funny old bird." |
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Blind Date - going out with someone you do not know
Bluenose - An excessively puritanical person, a prude, Creator of "the Blue Nozzle Curse."
Bootleg - illegal liquor
Breezer - an convertible car |
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Bronx Cheer - A loud spluttering noise, used to indicate disapproval. Same as raspberry |
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Bull - (1) a policeman or law-enforcement officer including FBI (2) nonsense (3) to chat idly, to exaggerate |
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Bull Session - Male talkfest, gossip, stories of sexual exploits |
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Bum's rush - ejection by force from an establishment |
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Bump Off - To murder, To kill |
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Butt me - I'll take a cigarette
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Caper - a criminal act or robbery |
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Carry a Torch - To have a crush on someone |
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Cash - a kiss |
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Cash or check? - Do you kiss now or later? |
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Cat's Meow - Something splendid or stylish; similar to bee's knees; The best or greatest, wonderful. |
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Cat's Pajamas - Same as cat's meow |
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Chassis - the female body |
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Cheaters - Eyeglasses |
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Check - kiss me later |
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Ciggy - cigarette |
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Clam - a dollar |
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Copacetic - Wonderful, fine, all right |
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Crush - An infatuation
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Daddy - a young woman's boyfriend or lover, especially if he's rich |
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Dame - a female |
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Dapper - a Flapper's dad |
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Darb - An excellent person or thing (as in "the Darb" - a person with money who can be relied on to pay the check) |
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Dead soldier - an empty bear bottle |
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Deb - an debutant |
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Dick - a private investigator |
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Dogs - feet |
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Doll - an attractive woman |
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Dolled up - dressed up |
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Don't know from nothing - don't have any information |
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Don't take any wooden nickels - Don't do anything stupid |
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Double-cross - to cheat, stab in the back |
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Dough - money |
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Drugstore Cowboy - a guy that hangs around on a street corner trying to pick up girls |
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Dry up - shut up, get lost |
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Ducky - very good |
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Dumb Dora - a stupid female
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Earful - enough |
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Edge - intoxication, a buzz. i.e. "I've got an edge." |
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Egg - a person who lives the big life
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Fall Guy - Victim of a frame |
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Fire extinguisher - a chaperone |
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Fish -(1) a college freshman (2) a first timer in prison
Flat Tire - A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date. Same as pill, pickle, drag, rag, oilcan
Flivver - a Model T; after 1928, could mean any old broken down car
Flapper - A stylish, brash, hedonistic young woman with short skirts & shorter hair
Fly boy - a glamorous term for an aviator
Frame - To give false evidence , to set up someone
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Gams - A woman's legs |
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Get a wiggle on - get a move on, get going |
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Giggle Water - An intoxicating beverage; alcohol |
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Gin Mill - An establishment where hard liquor is sold; bar |
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Glad rags - "going out on the town" clothes |
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Gold Digger - A woman who associates with or marries a man for his wealth |
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Goofy - in love
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Hair of the Dog - a shot of alcohol |
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Handcuff - an engagement ring |
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Hard Boiled - a tough, strong guy |
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Hayburner - (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on |
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Heebie-Jeebies - The jitters |
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High-Hat - To snub |
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Hit on all sixes - to perform 100 per cent; as "hitting on all six cyclinders" |
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Hooch - Bootleg liquor |
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Hood - hoodlum |
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Hoofer - Dancer |
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Horsefeathers - an expletive ; same usage as applesauce |
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Hotsy - Totsy - Pleasing
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It - Sex appeal |
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Iron - a motorcycle
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Jack - money |
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Jake - OK, as in , "Everything is Jake." |
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Jalopy - Old car |
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Jane - any female |
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Java - coffee |
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Jitney - a car employed as a private bus. Fare was usually five cents; also called a "nickel" |
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Joe - coffee |
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John - a toilet |
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Joint - an establishment |
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Juice Joint - a speakeasy |
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Joint - A club, usually selling alcohol |