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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 a 1950s slang word that means 'dating'?
Fake Out is 50's slang for a bad date
jacketed: dating only one person was also called "going steady".
A belfry is an old word for what we typically call a bell tower. Both amount to the same thing: a tower or other location where you would find the building's bells.
The most common way one hears the word is the idiom "Bats in the Belfry", which is an old idiom to indicate one's head is rather a mess and therefore the person is implied to be crazy (picture this; the bells start ringing, scaring the bats and causing them to panic; that bell tower is going to be quite hectic for a while).
GS - Gran Sport, used to indicate a road going Suzuki standard motorcycle, the only model that still uses this designation in the Suzuki line up is the GS500. XR - eXperimental Racing. Designation added to GS for Suzukis road legal race replica motorcycles thereby creating GSXR. There are additional suffixes added to the GS "road going" moniker such as GSX (just Gran Sport eXperimental) for the Katana motorcycles or GSF (the F stands for something in Japanese that I can't remember but generally indicates a sporting but not race replica trim) for the Bandit motorcycles. To be noted, the Hayabusa is technically not a GSXR but some hybrid between the that and the Katana given it's model moniker GSX1300R. Also to be noted, Suzuki's non-road legal race bikes are coded as XR for just eXperimental Racing.
What is the origin of gone off the reservation?
not sure, but i think it means someones lost it/gone crazy etc. i think it comes from the Indians being put in reservations and if you "go off the reservation" your crazy you could get linched or shot or something.
The now-archaic term was used by Shakespeare, among others, to mean forsaken by one's mistress, or girlfriend (from lass, and forlorn).
FPGA - Field-programmable gate array is a semiconductor device containing programmable logic components called "logic blocks", and programmable interconnects.
What does the expression hos mean as used by Imus?
Imus ment "hOE'S" which means "whore", "women of the night", "hooker", "slut". Those are just a few meanings of "HOE's".
What does it mean when someone says the one that got away?
It's a fishing analogy. If you lose something, it is the fish that got away. There are two ways the person could mean 'the one that got away.' * Referring to a person that person loved a great deal, but the relationship either didn't get started or the relationship ended. * An egotist who thinks they can get the opposite sex by snapping their fingers, but someone set this person straight. The above person is correct when they say it's a fishing analogy.
What does it mean to win eight up and six to play in golf?
It means being 7 holes ahead with only 6 left to play (ie. impossible to catch up so that match is called at that point). It also means the match only had to get to the 12th hole to decide it.
as weak as - * an elderly grandmother * Alex Rodriguez without his steroids (or insert MLB player of your choice) * Superman holding Kryptonite * a new mother right after natural childbirth * Popeye without his spinach * Rosie O'Donnel on a diet water
What is another word for maid?
On the assumption that you mean maid, as in a servant, an employee, a subordinate, a waitress, a personal assistant, a handmaid, a ladies maid, a house keeper, a parlour maid, a soubrette. Most alternative words do not seem to be very complimentary
How do you get grease off the top of soup?
Well aside from skimming it off which simply involves using a ladle placed slowly down into the soup until just the grease pours slowly down over the lip of the ladle, you can use paper towels or bread (although that's not economical). The best way is to go to a cookin or grocery store like Safeway or Raleys/Knobb Hill Foods and buy a grease separating measuring cup. Then just spoon the grease in and pour the soup out!
What is the origin of the bowling term turkey?
According to TopEndSports.com, the term originated in the late 1800's when scoring three strikes in a row was much more difficult than it is now. During Thanksgiving and Christmas, bowling alley proprietors would award a turkey for bowlers who scored three strikes in a row.
In the old days of bowling, scores were lower and strikes did not happen as often as they do now. In the old days, during the holidays, the proprietor of a bowling center would present a live turkey to the first person on a team to bowl three consecutive strikes.
you get a turkey (real) after 3 strikes in a row.. I could use one right now.. I'm hungry
Someone tried to steal your 2002 ford windstar last night why will it not start now?
Do you have a security system? if so it may have a starter interupt. you would have to check the manufactures directions to reset it. the may have also cut your ignition wires to hot wire it
Can there be a word in front of groovy?
Groovy is an adjective so you can always put another adjective in front of it as in:
gnarly groovy dude (ahem). And can also precede groovy as in wild and groovy or chic and groovy (personal favorite). Growing up in the '60s does have a few advantages.
And following groovy..... groovy chick or groovy coiling
PB stands for Patrol Bomber, with Y being Consolidated Aircraft's manufacturer identification.
depends, it can mean any one of these. It always changes
Generation Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module
General Purpose Utility Non-Discontinuity Augmentation Maneuvering Weapon System
Gigantic Unilateral Numerous Dominating Ammunition
Gunnery United Nuclear Duetrion Advanced Maneuver System
General Unilateral Neuro-Link Dispersive Autonomic Maneuver System
Generation Unrestricted Nuclear Drive Assault Module
Greasy Underwater Ninja Death Administering Melon
Whose catch phrase was you lucky people?
Tommy Trinder, comic from world war 2 until mid 60s
Edit: Was also adopted by Tyres from Spaced.
What is a list of American Civil War slang?
Some of the more interesting and colorful (but mostly inoffensive) American Civil War and Civil War-era slang, gathered from various sources.
A
Artillery (pots and pans)
Assembly of Buglers (morning reveille)
Aunty (Union soldiers' nickname for the army)
Avails (profits from sale of goods, often refers to camp Sutler)
Avalanche (Union slang for their two-wheeled ambulance)
B
Bad egg (worthless or bad person)
Balderdash! (exclamation, nonsense or BS)
Balmy, Bamboozled (drunk)
Barefoot coffee (strong coffee, drunk black) (compare with Essence of coffee)
Barnyard Preacher (derogatory term for an amateur or part-time preacher)
Barrel Shirt (humiliating punishment in which a soldier is forced to march wearing a flour barrel...as a shirt)
Bazoo (mouth)
Beak (judge or magistrate)
Bean ($5 gold coin)
Bean hole (a hole in the ground filled with embers and topped with a pot for slow-cooking beans at camp)
Beanpole (tall, skinny man)
Belly achin' (complaining)
Betsy or Bessie (a musket or rifle)
Big Ticket (honorable discharge)
Bite dog, bite bear (expression meaning the person didn't care about the outcome of something)
Black Maria (slang for a wagon used to carry people to jail)
Blister (military slang; an irritating person)
Blockhead (stupid)
Blowhard (braggart or confrontational man)
Bluff (cheater, as at cards)
Bounty (bonus paid for joining the military)
Bounty jumper (someone who took the enlistment bounty then ran to another state and signed up again)
Bragg's Body Guard (body lice)
Bread basket (stomach)
Brogans (short, laced boots)
Bugs, Big Bugs (officers, other important people)
Bull Pit (military camp brig)
Bully! (Cheer, hooray!)
Bully for you! (Good for you!)
Bushwacker (irregular Confederate soldier)
C
Cabbaging (stealing)
Camp canard (gossip, rumors spreading around camp)
Camp followers (civilians who follow troops for a purpose; e.g, vendors, ready-finders, prostitutes)
Cashier (dishonorable military discharge)
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer (person responsible for many things)
Chow, grub (food)
Clink (jail)
Conniption Fit (making a big fuss over something, usually minor)
Contraband (escaped slaves seeking protection behind Union lines)
Copperhead (Yankee who sympathizes with the South)
Croaker, growler (pessimist)
Cumshaw, boodle (bribe)
D
Diggings (soldiers' camp)
Doodle (Union soldier)
Dragoon (armed cavalry)
Duds (clothes)
E
Embalmed beef (tinned meat)
Essence of Coffee (weak, instant coffee) (compare with barefoot coffee)
F
Fighting under the black flag (soldiers killing lice)
Fit to be tied (angry)
Fresh Fish (new recruits)
French leave (AWOL)
G
Gallinappers (mosquitoes, gnats)
Galoot (inexperienced, clumsy soldier)
Giving the vermin a parole (discarding lice infested clothes)
Goat (foolish, gullible person, scapegoat)
Goober peas (peanuts)
Go on a bat (on a drinking spree)
Greenbacks, Shin Plasters (paper money)
Gunboats (boots)
H
Hardtack, sheet iron crackers, worm castle (hard, unleavened bread carried for sustenance)
Hay foot, straw foot (used to teach new recruits their right from left foot, for marching)
Here's How! (drinking toast)
High Falutin' (derogatory term for upper class, expensive or fancy)
Hoof it (march, go on foot)
Hospital Rats, bummers (Malingerers, soldiers faking sickness)
Hunkey dorey (doing well, great)
J
Jailbird (prisoner)
Jawing, chin music (talking, having a conversation)
Jayhawked (borrowed without permission)
Jiffy ("in a jiffy," done quickly)
John Barley Corn (beer)
Johnnies, Johnny Reb (confederate soldier(s))
Jonah (person considered a jinx)
K
Kick the bucket (die)
L
Loyalist (a Southerner who sympathizes with the Union)
M
Mail Carrier (spy)
Meet the Elephant (go into combat; also, See the Elephant)
Mind your own beeswax (mind your own business)
Mudsill (lowlife)
Muggins (thug)
Mule (comparable to school cafeteria mystery meat)
Mustered Out (killed in battle)
Muster in, Muster out (join or leave the military)
N
Nob (snob)
Not worth shucks (good for nothing, useless) (see shucks)
O
Oh-be-joyful (homemade liquor)
Old Scratch (the devil)
Old Woodpecker (someone hard to take by surprise)
Opine (express an opinion)
P
Parlor Soldiers, Sunday Soldiers (derogatory term for wimpy soldiers)
Peas on a trencher (bugle call to breakfast)
Pepperbox (hand gun)
Perdition! (curse referring to Hell)
Picket (guards at a post)
Pig sticker, toad sticker (bayonet)
Pie Eater, straw foot (country hick soldier)
Pop Skull (cheap liquor)
Possum (buddy)
Postal currency (postage stamps)
Powder Monkey (soldier responsible for carrying shells and gun powder)
Q
Quaker Gun (fake gun or decoy; Quakers are pacifists)
Quick Step (also Tennessee Quick Step, Virginia Quick Step) (diarrhea)
R
Ragged Out (dressed up)
Ready-finders (Union civilians who followed the troops, picking up discarded coats, blankets, etc.)
Rebel Yell (Confederate battle cry)
Red badge of courage (wounded, having a bloody wound)
Red Eye, Bark Juice, Nockum Stiff (liquor)
Roast beef (bugle call announcing dinner)
S
Sawbones (doctor, surgeon)
Scuttlebutt (gossip, originated with navy)
Secesh (derogatory term referring to one with secessionist sympathies)
Secesher (derogatory term for a Southerner)
See the Elephant (go into combat)
Shank's Mare (walking, instead of riding)
Shebang (small tent, pup tent)
Shoddy (poor quality Union uniforms from unscrupulous suppliers)
Shucks (devalued confederate money)
Skedaddle (leave quickly, run away)
Skedaddler (deserter)
Skeesicks (soldier's tent-mate)
Skillygalee (hardtack soaked in water, then fried in pork fat)
Slow bear (pig)
Slumgullion (stew made from whatever is on hand)
Slum (a kind of stew made from a recipe, derived from slumgullion)
Snug as a bug (comfortable, warm)
Soldier's Disease (opium addiction)
Son of a gun! (expletive)
Sparking (kissing or courting)
Spondulix (money)
Stand Sam (pay for a round of drinks...Sam referred to Uncle Sam, or money)
Sutler (person who sells goods to soldiers at camp, usually at high prices)
T
Taps (bugle call for lights out, bedtime)
Tommy Totten (bugle call telling soldiers to advance against the enemy)
Turkey shoot (ambush, easy kill)
U
Uppity (conceited)
V
Vanguard (front line of troops)
Volley (exchange fire, or fire as a group)
W
Wallpapered (drunk)
Who wouldn't be a soldier? (who cares?)
Y
Yankee, Yank (Northerner)
You can't catch a weasel asleep (means you can't trick me or can't deceive me)
Z
Zouave (volunteer Northern regiments that dressed in baggy red uniforms like the French Zouaves)
What are some slang words from the 1990s?
- foxy (a fox is a really good looking woman)
- foxes (guys<--no, both sexes. id est: "fox on the run")
- far-out (like cool or groovy)
- fruit/ was used as "stupid" or "lame" . "hey man, that's fruit."
- fruit / also used as a slang for a homosexual
- jam or to jam/ getting into your music either by playing it or listening to it.
- jive/jive talk... B.S.ing
- turkey, a jerk jive turkey..a lying jerk
- takin' care of business, could also mean having sex either with or without another person
- "the man" government/ police
- my favorite would be cream, as in: cream in my jeans
- phyche! - as in to psyche someone out
- Dream on! - as in "you need to think again"
- "Good Night John-Boy!"
- the max - the best
- to book, or booking - to move quickly
- "Keep on Truckin'"
- "May the Force be With You!"
- boogie - to dance
- get down - to dance
- Neat ! - for something you liked a lot
- Cool ! - said in response to almost anything, just to show you were "cool"
- Cool Cat
- Onward and Upward - no matter what has happened or whatever obstacles, just keep (yourself) going toward your goal.
- Peace! - along with using the "V" Peace Sign by spreading your index finger and middle finger apart into a V
- Babe
- You Sexy Thing!
- "Gimme a Hit" - for smoking dope or borrowing a drag from a friend's cigarette
- "What a drag" - for a boring, uninteresting event or to express "condolences" about a pretty ordinary event (like your friend couldn't get out of the house, so you'd say "What a drag" about the friend's parents).
- "Study Hall" - skipping a class or classes and sneaking out of the building to our own "study hall" (which was anywhere but in school)
- Punk - someone who wouldn't amount to anything -- ever
- asking for "a dime" could mean you wanted drugs, but since pay telephones at that time cost a dime to make a local call, it could get confusing as to what the person wanted.
- "Just another Misty" - reference to the movie with a psycho woman who repeatedly requested a disc jockey play the same song "Play Misty for me..." -- Just another Misty meant judging someone as acting psycho especially in romance/about a boyfriend
A lot of slang were phrases adopted from the leading Rock 'n Roll bands and Ballad singers (ex. Jim Croce). After Croce was killed in an accident, for a time people would say, "That's a Croce" to indicate something that, sadly (very sadly), had come to an end.
There was also the (now bland) slang of the sub-culture world of drug use.
Check out this link. It has lots of terms from the seventies.
