What slang did people use in the 1920s?

What slang did people use in the 1920s?

Popular 1920s Era Slang

  • baby – a term of endearment for one’s sweetheart (male or female)
  • bangtails – racehorses.
  • bee’s knees – fabulous, outstanding, wonderful, stupendous.
  • behind the eight ball – in a difficult or precarious position.
  • big one – death.
  • big sleep – death.
  • blow – leave (as in “blow this joint”)

What were common phrases in the 1920s?

Bee’s knees is actually one of a set of nonsense catchphrases from 1920s America, the period of the flappers, speakeasies, feather boas and the Charleston.” (Other such phrases: “elephant’s adenoids, cat’s miaow, ant’s pants, tiger’s spots, bullfrog’s beard, elephant’s instep, caterpillar’s kimono, turtle’s neck.

What is a 1920’s slang?

1920’s Slang. Bee’s Knees – An extraordinary person, thing, idea. Berries – is attractive or pleasing; similar to bee’s knees, As in “It’s the berries.” Big Cheese – The most important or influential person. Same as big shot.

What is flapper slang?

The slang term “flapper” may derive from an earlier use in northern England to mean “teenage girl”, referring to one whose hair is not yet put up and whose plaited pigtail “flapped” on her back, or from an older word meaning “prostitute”. The slang word “flap” was used for a young prostitute as early as 1631.

Was applesauce a swear word?

Applesauce: A mild curse, like “darn” (also, “Horsefeathers!”)

What did doll mean in the 20s?

Doll: 1920s Slang for Woman The term “doll” was used to describe a pretty young woman in the 1920s, but it had been a term used as early as the 1550s when it began as a shortened form of “Dorothy.”

What is a flapper person?

Flappers of the 1920s were young women known for their energetic freedom, embracing a lifestyle viewed by many at the time as outrageous, immoral or downright dangerous. Now considered the first generation of independent American women, flappers pushed barriers in economic, political and sexual freedom for women.