Do you recall your parents or grandparents using a word or phrase that didn’t make sense? If so, it may have been slang popular when they were young. Below is a list of 1930s slang (also slang from the 1940’s and 1950’s).
If you know a 1930s slang word or term not on the list, post it in the comment section below for others to see!
1930s Slang
Horn – The telephone.
Grifter – A con man.
Copper – The police.
Cats/Alligators – Fans of swing music.
Giggle Juice – Alcohol.
Slip me a five – When you want to shake hands with someone.
Dick/Gumshoe/Flatfoot – A detective.
Broad/Dame/Doll – A woman.
Togged to the bricks – Dressed up.
Tin – Small change.
Sawbuck – A $10 bill.
Low down – All the information.
Kip – Neat!
1940’s Slang
Take a powder – To leave.
Fuddy-duddy – An old-fashioned person.
Gobbledygook – Double talk or a long speech.
Armored heifer – Canned milk.
Snap your cap – To get angry.
Doll dizzy – Girl crazy.
Ducky shin cracker – A good dancer.
Stompers – Shoes.
Gas – Either a good time or something that was very funny.
What’s buzzing’, cousin? – how’s it going?
Gams – Legs.
1950’s Slang
Ankle Biter – A child.
Big Daddy – An older person.
Bread – Money.
Cat – A hip person.
Chariot – A car.
Cube – A normal person.
Frosted – To get angry.
Greaser – Someone with lots of grease in their hair.
Heat – The police.
Jacketed – Going steady.
Nest – A hair-do.
Peepers – Glasses.
Radioactive – To be very popular.
For questions to ask your parent or grandparent to learn more about their life story and family history, visit my post: ‘Legacy Interview Questions‘.
For ways to record your parent or grandparent, check out my post ‘Recording a Parent’s Stories’.
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1930s Slang
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1930s Slang
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1930s Slang
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