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Vintage Slang
Vintage slang refers to colloquial words or expressions in the English language, associated with a particular decade. Some examples of this are “catch 22” from the 1970s and “grandstand” from the 1940s.
1,017 Questions
What is the meaning of One swallow does not make summer?
Don't jump to conclusions based on incomplete evidence.
What does the expression dont do nothing I wouldn't do mean or imply?
It means don't get in trouble or do anything foolish.
What are some slang words from the 1800's?
- ace-high - excellent
- according to Hoyle - by the book, done correctly
- arbuckle's - coffee
- at sea - not understanding
- back down - to retreat or yield, or to be made to do so
- balled up - confused
- bend an elbow - to dring
- bilk - cheat
- blow - boast or brag
- bosh - nonsense
- boss - the best
- burg - town
- calaboose - jail
- consumption - tuberculosis
- croaker - pessimist
- curly wolf - a tough guy
- dicker - to barter or trade
- directly - soon
- dreadful or powerful - very
- dude - a fop or overly-elegant male
- fetch - bring or give
- fish - a cowboy's raincoat (a popular brand had a fish logo)
- fuss - a disturbance
- game - to have courage
- give in - yield
- goner - someone who is going to die or lose
- grand - excellent
- granger - a farmer
- heap - a lot, many
- offish - aloof, distant
- proud - glad
- rich - amusing and improbable
- scuttlebutt - rumors
- skedaddle - leave quickly
- shoddy - poor quality
- soaked - drunk
- stumped - confused
- twig - understand
- up the spout - gone to waste or ruin
- wind up - settle up (pronounced as WINED instead of WINNED)
Some phrases you might have heard then:
- you woke up the wrong passenger - you angered the wrong person
- all down but nine - you missed the point ( reference to nine-pin Bowling)
- get your back up - to get angry
- light a shuck - to leave
- between hay and grass - half-grown, neither man nor boy
- best bib and tucker - your best clothes
- beat the devil around the stump - to avoid doing something
- go through the mill - to gain experience the hard way
- see the elephant - to gain experience or to experience action
- shoot your mouth off - to talk when you should have said nothing
- the whole kit and caboodle - everything
- to beat the band or to beat the Dutch - more than ever
- throw in the sponge or towel - to surrender
- someone to ride the river with or someone to tie to - someone to rely upon
- blue at the mizzen - "on a high horse", haughty
Check out the Devil's Dictionary on Answers.com (see related link). It includes a lot of old English slang.
Same as 23 skidoo.
It means to get out quickly while you can or while it's still good often when being forced to.
Such as "The cops are comin' let's 22 skidoo'. See the link for more information - it's actually quite interesting.
What does the slang term 'your bag' mean?
This is old Sixties slang. You don't say it as "your bag" - you say "NOT your bag" as in not the sort of thing you care for. If someone offers you some drugs (as people often did in the Sixties), you could say, "Sorry man, it's not my bag."
What does the phrase nice pins mean?
It normally is a term used if a person has athletic or fit looking legs
What does the slang term charlie mean?
During the Vietnam war the term "Charlie" referred to "cong"...as in the Vietcong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viet_Cong
What are some common sayings from the 1940's?
Some common sayings from the 1940s include sayings like "Don't be a wise guy" and "What a drugstore cowboy" which was used to refer to a male that stands around street corners attempting to woo girls. Another common saying was "That was a swell time" which was used to express having a wonderful time doing something.
What was the term used for new woman of 1920's?
Young women with University or College education were called blue stockings. Girls who partied, danced, drove cars etc.were bright young things or flappers.
What does 'the man' mean from the slang dictionary of the 1970s?
It means the police or any established legal authorities.
What is a 70's term for call me?
Give me a ring, give me a buzz or call me were all used in the seventies.
What are some vintage slang words?
This is a very broad question - please click on one of the related questions to look for slang from each decade.
Name the candy bar that means fender bender?
The name of the candy bar that means fender bender is the Crunch bar by Nestle. This candy bar has been around since 1937.
What is the meaning of the idiom 'the cat's meow'?
This is a very old expression. It means it is something that is so good, if you were a cat, you would meow over the item or thing.
Cats meow when happy.
Where did the term bootleg come from?
The term came from bottles of liquor, hidden in the tops of boots by travelers.
What does 'Don't be square' mean?
A square is a person who is not "cool" or "hip." This would be the person who is unpopular and does not follow the latest fashions in clothing, slang, and behavior. "Square" is an old slang term from the 1960's.
The Victorian period in Europe and America saw the use of many slang words and terms we no longer use today. Bricky meant someone was brave. Chuckaboo was a term of affection given to friends. Daddles could refer to one's hands. Skilamalink meant secret or shady.
