The 1920s, often referred to as the Jazz Age, was a decade characterized by cultural revolution and exuberant lifestyles. The language of this era reflects its vibrancy and dynamism, encapsulating the spirit of the times through a colorful array of slang. From the flapper’s flamboyance to the speakeasy’s secrecy, the slang of the 1920s offers a fascinating glimpse into the era’s unique character.
“Why should life be work, when we all can borrow? Let’s think only of today, and not worry about tomorrow.” —Zelda Fitzgerald
A Glimpse into 1920s Pop Culture
The 1920s saw a significant expansion in American vocabulary, driven by innovations in technology, evolving fashion, and new social phenomena. This period introduced a plethora of new words and expressions that described everything from cutting-edge automobiles to emerging social types like flappers and gangsters. Below is an extensive glossary of 1920s slang. While not exhaustive, it provides a robust overview of the era’s distinctive language. Feel free to contribute additional terms you may know!
A
- All Wet: Completely incorrect or nonsensical. Example: “That theory is all wet.”
- Applesauce: Nonsense or foolish talk. Example: “Don’t feed me applesauce.”
B
- Baloney: Nonsense or absurdity. Example: “What you’re saying is just baloney.”
- Banana Oil: Another term for nonsense. Example: “Save your banana oil for someone else.”
- Barney Mugging: Engaging in sexual activity. Example: “They were caught Barney Mugging at the party.”
- Bee’s Knees: Something or someone outstanding or excellent. Example: “That new restaurant is the bee’s knees.”
- Belly Laugh: A hearty, genuine laugh. Example: “She had a real belly laugh after hearing the joke.”
- Berries: Things that are delightful or loved. Example: “This new jazz band is the berries!”
- Bible Belt: Regions in the U.S. known for conservative and religious views, primarily the South and Midwest. Term coined by H.L. Mencken. Example: “The Bible Belt’s views clash with our more liberal lifestyle.”
- Big Cheese: An important or influential person. Example: “He’s the big cheese at the company.”
- Blind Date: A date with someone previously unknown. Example: “I’m meeting someone on a blind date tonight.”
- Bronx Cheer: A loud, derisive booing. Example: “The crowd gave him a Bronx cheer after the poor performance.”
- Bull Session: A casual conversation, often full of exaggerated claims. Example: “We had a long bull session about the latest trends.”
- Bunk: Nonsense or empty talk. Short for “bunkum.” Example: “That’s a bunch of bunk!”
C
- Cake-Eater: A charming man, often a gigolo. Example: “He’s quite the cake-eater, always surrounded by women.”
- Carry a Torch: To have unreciprocated affection for someone. Example: “He’s been carrying a torch for her for ages.”
- Cat’s Meow: Something highly impressive or excellent. Similar to “bee’s knees.” Example: “That new jazz club is the cat’s meow.”
- Cheaters: Glasses. Example: “I can’t read without my cheaters.”
- Copacetic: Perfectly fine or satisfactory. Example: “Everything’s copacetic with the project.”
D
- Darb: Something or someone considered cool, usually used for men. Example: “That new car is a real darb.”
- Dogs: Slang for feet. Example: “My dogs are sore from walking all day.”
- Drugstore Cowboy: A man who attempts to impress women with his appearance, often unsuccessfully. Example: “He’s just a drugstore cowboy, always putting on airs.”
- Dumb Dora: A term for a naive or unintelligent woman. Example: “She fell for his schemes, just a dumb Dora.”
E
- Egg: A man, often implying a good person. Example: “He’s a good egg, always ready to lend a hand.”
F
- Fall Guy: A person who takes the blame for something they didn’t do. Example: “He ended up being the fall guy for the crime.”
- Flat Tire: A dull or uninteresting person. Example: “He was a real flat tire at the party.”
- Frame: To set someone up to take the blame for something, often a crime. Example: “They framed him for the robbery.”
G
- Gam: A woman’s leg, often used to describe attractive legs. Derived from the French “gambe.” Example: “She showed off her gams in that dress.”
- Gatecrasher: Someone who attends a party without an invitation. Example: “He was a gatecrasher at the exclusive event.”
- Giggle Water: An alcoholic beverage. Example: “Let’s grab some giggle water and celebrate.”
- Gin Mill: A speakeasy or illicit bar. Example: “We found a hidden gin mill downtown.”
- Gold Digger: A woman who seeks financial gain through romantic relationships. Example: “He’s wary of gold diggers.”
- Goofy: Silly or eccentric. Example: “He’s a bit goofy, but he’s fun to be around.”
- Gyp: To cheat or swindle someone. Example: “Don’t get gypped on that deal.”
H
- Hard Boiled: A tough or unemotional person. Example: “He’s a hard-boiled detective, never showing his emotions.”
- Heebie-Jeebies: A feeling of discomfort or unease. Example: “The eerie silence gave me the heebie-jeebies.”
- Hep: Knowledgeable or in the know. Example: “She’s hep to all the latest trends.”
- High-Hat: To snub or ignore someone. Example: “He’s been giving me the high-hat lately.”
- Hokum: Nonsense or deceptive talk. Example: “Don’t believe that hokum; it’s just a gimmick.”
- Hooch: Homemade or bootleg alcohol. Derived from “Hoochinoo,” an Alaskan tribe. Example: “They served up some strong hooch at the speakeasy.”
- Hoofer: A chorus girl or dancer, especially from the Ziegfeld Follies. Example: “She’s a talented hoofer with a bright future.”
- Horsefeathers: Nonsense or absurdity. Example: “That’s just a lot of horsefeathers.”
I-J
- Jake: Everything is fine or okay. Example: “Don’t worry, everything’s jake.”
- Jalopy: An old, beat-up car. Example: “He drives around in a real jalopy.”
K
- Keen: Attractive or impressive. Example: “She has a keen sense of style.”
- Kiddo: A casual term of endearment, often used by a man toward a woman. Example: “How’s it going, kiddo?”
- Kisser: Mouth. Example: “He got a punch right in the kisser.”
L
- Line: A flattering or persuasive remark, often used as a pickup line. Example: “He tried using his best line to impress her.”
- Lounge Lizard: A man who frequents social venues to meet women, similar to a cake-eater. Example: “He’s quite the lounge lizard, always hanging out at the bars.”
- Lousy: Poor quality or disappointing. Example: “That movie was lousy.”
M
- Main Drag: The main street in a town or city, often where people go to be seen. Example: “Let’s cruise the main drag.”
- Mutton: A term for older women who try to appear younger. Example: “She’s mutton dressed as lamb.”
N
- Neck: To make out or engage in intimate behavior. Example: “They were caught necking in the park.”
- Nerts (or Nuts): An expression of frustration or disgust. Example: “Oh nerts, I forgot the tickets!”
O
- Ossified: Extremely drunk. Example: “He was completely ossified after just a few drinks.”
P
- Peppy: Full of energy or enthusiasm. Example: “She’s always so peppy and lively.”
- Pet: To engage in affectionate or intimate behavior. Example: “They were caught petting at the party.”
- Petting Parties: Social gatherings where young people engage in intimate behavior. Example: “They attended a petting party on Saturday.”
Q-R
- Raspberry: A loud booing or derisive noise. Example: “The audience gave him a raspberry after his poor performance.”
- Ritzy: Elegant or upscale, often used to describe luxurious things. Example: “That new club is really ritzy.”
- Real McCoy: The genuine or authentic article. Example: “This is the real McCoy, not an imitation.”
S
- Scram: A way to say “leave” or “get out of here.” Example: “Let’s scram before the cops show up.”
- Screwy: Weird or strange. Example: “That idea is just screwy.”
- Sex Appeal: The quality of being attractive or sexually appealing. Example: “She has a lot of sex appeal.”
- Sheba: A young, attractive woman or flapper. Example: “She’s quite the Sheba, isn’t she?”
- Sheik: A charming, attractive man. Example: “He’s a real sheik, always turning heads.”
- Smeller: Your nose. Example: “He got a punch right on the smeller.”
- Sob Sister: A female journalist who writes emotional stories to elicit sympathy. Example: “She’s known as a sob sister in the newsroom.”
- Speakeasy: An illegal bar selling alcohol during Prohibition. Example: “We found a secret speakeasy in the basement.”
- Spifflicated: Extremely drunk. Example: “He was spifflicated by the end of the night.”
- Spiffy: Looking sharp or stylish, usually referring to a man’s appearance. Example: “He looked spiffy in his new suit.”
- Struggle-Buggy: A car, often used to describe an old or modest vehicle. Example: “They took the struggle-buggy for a drive around town.”
- Stuck On: To have a crush on someone. Example: “He’s really stuck on her.”
T
- Torpedo: A hired killer or enforcer. Example: “They sent a torpedo to handle the situation.”
U-V
- Upchuck: To vomit or throw up. Example: “He was so drunk, he ended up upchucking.”
- V: This category remains empty for terms starting with ‘V’.
W
- Whoopee: Loud fun or revelry, often associated with parties. Example: “They had a lot of whoopee at the petting party.”
X-Y-Z
- X: This category remains empty for terms starting with ‘X’.
- Y: This category remains empty for terms starting with ‘Y’.
- Z: This category remains empty for terms starting with ‘Z’.
This vibrant slang from the Jazz Age offers a window into the social dynamics and cultural shifts of the 1920s, reflecting a time of great change and excitement.