Phrases and Slang of the 1920s

  by    1   0

1920-fashion

The twenties were the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations, and the flapper sub-culture had a tremendous influence on main stream America; many new words and phrases were coined by these liberated women. Many of these are still used today!

A
Ab-so-lute-ly affirmative
Alderman A man’s pot-belly
All Wet describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, “he’s all wet.”
And How I strongly agree!
Applesauce an expletive same as horse feathers, As in “Ah applesauce!”
Ankle (n) Woman; (v) To walk
Attaboy well done!; also Attagirl!

 

 

 

B
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 Get lost or scram
Beat one’s gums idle chatter
Bee’s Knees An extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate
Beef a complaint or to complain – as in to have a “beef” with someone.
Beeswax business, i.e. None of your beeswax
Behind the eight ball
In a difficult position, in a tight spot
Bell bottom 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 Sleep
Death
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.”
Blower
Telephone
Bluenose
An excessively puritanical person, a prude, Creator of “the Blue Nozzle Curse.”
Boob
Dumb Guy
Bootleg
illegal liquor
Boozehound
Drunkard
Breezer
an convertible car
Bronx Cheer
A loud spluttering noise, used to indicate disapproval. Same as raspberry
Bum’s rush
ejection by force from an establishment
Bump Off
To murder,To kill
Butt me
I’ll take a cigarette
Butter and egg man
The money man, the man with the bankroll, a yokel who comes to town to blow a big wad in nightclubs
Button
Face, nose, end of jaw
NEXT

 

 


Related Posts

How To Dance The Charleston

The Charleston dance 1920sThe 1920s Charleston dance is so quick and busy that people thought it was only for professional dancers when it first emerged. But the "roaring twenties" flappers had it down in no time. The following steps will help you grasp the ragtime jazz rhythm of the Charleston.


READ MORE →

Clara Bow – 1920s Actress of the Silent Film Era

Clara BowWalk up to any person on the street and mention the name Clara Bow you would get blank stares and the question, "Who's that?" With virtually no showings of her films on TV or elsewhere, it is difficult for anyone in the general public to really know who Clara Bow was or what she did.


READ MORE →

Arrested – Indecent Exposure On Beach 1922

Police arresting women in Chicago 1922Usually it was the bathing girl who ran afoul of the law. Atlantic City decided in 1924 to permit women to wear one-piece suits provided they also wore a skirt with it. According to the New York Times for March 27, "The official regulation provides that the bottom of the tights shall be no shorter than four inches above the knee and the bottom of the skirt no higher than seven inches above the knee."


READ MORE →

1920s Fashion Icon – Louise Brooks

Louise Brooks made the Bob style famousLouise Brooks was the famous flapper of her era. She was a model as well as an actress and frequently appeared in advertisements. Louise Brooks had short hair, a short skirt and wore make up.


READ MORE →

1920s Makeup Secrets

1920s-makeup-flapper_lipstickIf you love the fashion and adore the style, then turn back time with a few 1920s makeup tips.


READ MORE →

thoughts on this post

Back to Top