1920 s Teen Slang All Wet describes an

1920 s Teen Slang

• All Wet: describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in “he’s all wet. ” • And How: I strongly agree! • Applesauce: an expletive same as horsefeathers, as in “Ah applesauce!” • Attaboy: well done; also Attagirl! • Baby: sweetheart • Balled up: confused, messed up • Baloney: nonsense!

• Bank’s Closed: no kissing or making out…”Sorry Mac, the bank’s closed. ” • Bee’s Knees: an extraordinary person, thing, or idea; the ultimate • Beef: a complaint or to complain • Bimbo: a tough guy • Bum’s Rush: ejection by force from an establishment • Bump Off: to murder • Butt me: I’ll take a cigarette • Cash or check? : Do you kiss now or later?

• Cat’s Meow: something splendid or stylish; similar to bee’s knees; the best or greatest • Cat’s Pajamas: same as cat’s meow • Chassis: the female body • Cheaters: eyeglasses • Copacetic: wonderful, fine, all right • Dame: a female

• • Dapper: a Flapper’s dad Dead soldier: an empty beer bottle Dolled up: dressed up Drugstore Cowboy: a guy that hangs around on the corner trying to pick up girls • Ducky: very good • Dumb Dora: a stupid female • Fire Extinguisher: a chaperone

• Flat Tire: a dull witted, insipid, disappointing date • Flapper: a stylish, brash, hedonistic young woman with short skirts and shorter hair • Gams: a woman’s legs • Get a wiggle on: get a move on • Giggle water: alcohol • Gold Digger: a woman who dates or marries a man for money • Handcuff: an engagement ring

• • • Heebie-Jeebies: the jitters; nervous It: sex appeal Jane: any female Joe: coffee Joint: an establishment Juice joint: a speakeasy Level with me: be honest Mrs. Grundy: a tight-laced person Moll: a gangster’s girlfriend Nobody home: describes someone who is dumb

• • • Ossified: drunk Pipe down: be quiet Putting on the Ritz: doing something in high style Razz: make fun of Real Mc. Coy: the genuine article Ritzy: elegant Sheba: a woman with sex appeal Sheik: a man with sex appeal Shiv: a knife

• • Speakeasy: an illegal bar selling illegal bootleg liquor Spifficated: drunk Spoon: to make out Struggle buggy: the back seat of a car Swanky: ritzy Tin Pan Alley: the center of the New York music industry Tomato: a woman Wet blanket: killjoy; buzz-kill

• Bearcat – a hot-blooded or fiery girl • Big cheese – the most important or influential purpose • Big Six – a strong man • Don’t take any woodennickels – don’t do anything stupid • Jalopy – old car • “Now you’re on the trolley!” – now you’ve got it, now you’re right! • Piker – a cheapskate or coward