Java/Joe

 

'A cup of Joe,' as a reference to a cup of coffee, first appeared as popular slang in the 1930s and 40s. Opinions differ on where this phrase originates from, but presented here are a few different theories.

Something to do with the Military?

In 1914, the secretary of the US Navy, Admiral Josephus 'Joe' Daniels abolished the officers' wine mess. From that time on the strongest (and apparently therefore the drink of choice) on board navy ships was coffee. It was dubbed 'a cup of Joe' after the secretary. 'A cup of Joe' also refers to the GIs' favorite drink. During World War II, US defence workers were supplied with as much coffee as they wanted. Coffee was a source of warmth and comfort for battle-weary troups.  The slang was popular enough to be included in the Reserve Officer's Manual of 1931. A variation on this theme has it that Joe refers to the average Joe, thus making 'a cup of Joe' the average drink of the average man.

Java

'Joe' is also said to be a derivation of 'Java'. Java itself became a popular American nickname for coffee in the 19th Century when the island of Java in Indonesia was a major source of the world's coffee.

So Which Is Correct?

The most prevalent theory of the origin of 'a cup of Joe' is the one that concerns Josephus Daniels. It's the one you'll hear on the History Channel and is the one you'll find in columns exploring the origins of words and phrases.

 


 

 

"Joe" and Other 1920's Slang

Ab-so-lute-ly - affirmative

All Wet - describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, "he's all wet."

And How - I strongly agree!

Applesauce- an expletive same as horsefeathers, As in "Ah applesauce!"

Attaboy - well done!; also Attagirl!


Baby - sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect.

Balled Up - confused, messed up

Baloney - nonsense!

Bank's Closed - no kissing or making out - i.e. - "Sorry, Mac, the bank's closed."

Bearcat - a hot-blooded or fiery girl

Beat it - scam or get lost

Beat one's gums - idle chatter

Bee's Knees - An extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate

Beef - a complaint or to complain

Beeswax - business, i.e. None of your beeswax."

Bellbottom - a sailor

 

 

 

Berries - That which is attractive or pleasing; similar to bee's knees, As in "It's the berries."

Bible Belt - Area in the South and Midwest where Fundamentalism flourishes

Big Cheese - The most important or influential person; boss. Same as big shot

Big six - a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful; six cylinder engines

Bimbo - a tough guy

Bird - general term for a man or woman, sometimes meaning "odd," i.e. "What a funny old bird."

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

Bronx Cheer - A loud spluttering noise, used to indicate disapproval. Same as raspberry 

Bull - (1) a policeman or law-enforcement officer including FBI (2) nonsense (3) to chat idly, to exaggerate

Bull Session - Male talkfest, gossip, stories of sexual exploits

Bum's rush - ejection by force from an establishment

Bump Off - To murder, To kill

Butt me - I'll take a cigarette


Caper - a criminal act or robbery

Carry a Torch - To have a crush on someone

Cash - a kiss

Cash or check? - Do you kiss now or later?

Cat's Meow - Something splendid or stylish; similar to bee's knees; The best or greatest, wonderful.

Cat's Pajamas - Same as cat's meow

Chassis - the female body

Cheaters - Eyeglasses

Check - kiss me later

Ciggy - cigarette

 

Clam - a dollar  

Copacetic - Wonderful, fine, all right

Crush - An infatuation


Daddy - a young woman's boyfriend or lover, especially if he's rich

Dame - a female

Dapper - a Flapper's dad

Darb - An excellent person or thing (as in "the Darb" - a person with money who can be relied on to pay the check)

Dead soldier - an empty bear bottle

Deb - an debutant

Dick - a private investigator

Dogs - feet

Doll - an attractive woman

Dolled up - dressed up

Don't know from nothing - don't have any information

Don't take any wooden nickels - Don't do anything stupid

Double-cross - to cheat, stab in the back

Dough - money

Drugstore Cowboy - a guy that hangs around on a street corner trying to pick up girls

Dry up - shut up, get lost

Ducky - very good

Dumb Dora - a stupid female


Earful - enough

Edge - intoxication, a buzz.  i.e. "I've got an edge."

Egg - a person who lives the big life


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Guy - Victim of a frame

Fire extinguisher - a chaperone

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


Gams - A woman's legs

Get a wiggle on - get a move on, get going

Giggle Water - An intoxicating beverage; alcohol

Gin Mill - An establishment where hard liquor is sold; bar

Glad rags - "going out on the town" clothes

 

Gold Digger - A woman who associates with or marries a man for his wealth

Goofy - in love


Hair of the Dog - a shot of alcohol

Handcuff - an engagement ring

Hard Boiled - a tough, strong guy

Hayburner - (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on

Heebie-Jeebies - The jitters

High-Hat - To snub

Hit on all sixes - to perform 100 per cent; as "hitting on all six cyclinders"

Hooch - Bootleg liquor

Hood - hoodlum

Hoofer - Dancer

Horsefeathers - an expletive ; same usage as applesauce

Hotsy - Totsy - Pleasing


It - Sex appeal

Iron - a motorcycle


Jack - money

Jake - OK, as in , "Everything is Jake."

Jalopy - Old car

Jane - any female

Java - coffee

Jitney - a car employed as a private bus. Fare was usually five cents; also called a "nickel"

Joe - coffee

John - a toilet

Joint - an establishment

Juice Joint - a speakeasy

Joint - A club, usually selling alcohol

Extended Forecast 
 Zipcode:    407 AM MDT SAT MAR 20 2010
 State:  Region:
  Day Description Hi/Lo Temperature

Today

Mostly cloudy with isolated snow showers north winds up to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon chance of precipitation 10 percent

  high 29-35

Tonight

Mostly cloudy until midnight then clearing northwest winds around 10 mph until midnight becoming light

  low 2-5

Sunday

Sunny light winds becoming northwest up to 10 mph in the afternoon

  high 41-48

Sunday night

Partly cloudy southwest winds up to 10 mph

  

Monday

Mostly sunny light winds becoming southwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon

  high 50-57

Monday night

Partly cloudy

  low 19-22

Tuesday

Partly sunny a 10 percent chance of showers in the afternoon

  high 47-54

Tuesday night

Mostly cloudy chance of showers chance of precipitation 40 percent

  low 24-29

Wednesday

Mostly cloudy chance of snow in the morning then chance of rain and snow in the afternoon chance of precipitation 40 percent

  high 40

Wednesday night

Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of showers

  low 17-20

Thursday

Partly sunny slight chance of showers chance of precipitation 10 percent

  high 41-48

Thursday night

Mostly cloudy

  low 17-23

Friday

Mostly sunny

  high 46-54
 
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