Slang By Decade

The inevitable has happened. Aaron is starting to speak like his peers. "Like, y'know, like, one of the other doods (?)." I wasn't sure if I should put a question mark at the end of the sentence because he would definitely have spoken it with an upward inflection, but it doesn't necessarily mean he was asking a question. Alright, 'dood' (which by the way is the superior way of spelling 'dude' according to www.urbandictionary.com)  is not the latest slang term but the peers we're referring to here are 6-9 year olds. However, it did get me thinking of the time that he will probably start using words that I don't know about. Or perhaps words that I know, but have different meanings by then.


I was curious about the words I would need to pepper my conversations with if I wanted to appear a little more hmmmm....sweet. My search led me to HowStuffWorks and so for today, I am sharing with you the slang terms from the 1920s to now.

1920s 

1. 23 skiddoo -- to get going; move along; leave; or scram
2. The cat's pajamas -- the best; the height of excellence
3. Gams -- legs
4. The real McCoy -- sincere; genuine; the real thing
5. Hotsy-totsy -- perfect
6. Moll -- a female companion of a gangster
7. Speakeasy -- a place where alcohol was illegally sold and drunk during Prohibition
8. The bee's knees -- excellent; outstanding

1930s 

1. I'll be a monkey's uncle -- sign of disbelief; I don't believe it!
2. Gig -- a job
3. Girl Friday -- a secretary or female assistant
4. Juke joint -- a casual and inexpensive establishment with drinking, dancing, and blues music, typically in the southeastern United States
5. Skivvies -- men's underwear

1940s 

1. Blockbuster -- a huge success
2. Keeping up with the Joneses -- competing to have a lifestyle or socioeconomic status comparable to one's neighbors
3. Cool -- excellent; clever; sophisticated; fashionable; or enjoyable
4. Sitting in the hot seat -- in a highly uncomfortable or embarrassing situation
5. Smooch -- kiss

1950s 

1. Big brother is watching you -- someone of authority is monitoring your actions
2. Boo-boo -- a mistake; a wound
3. Hi-fi -- high fidelity; a record player or turntable
4. Hipster -- an innovative and trendy person

1960s 

1. Daddy-o -- a man; used to address a hipster or beatnik
2. Groovy -- cool; hip; excellent
3. Hippie -- derived from hipster; a young adult who rebelled against established institutions, criticized middle-class values, opposed the Vietnam War, and promoted sexual freedom
4. The Man -- a person of authority; a group in power

1970s 

1. Catch you on the flip side -- see you later
2. Dig it -- to like or understand something
3. Get down/Boogie -- dance
4. Mind-blowing -- unbelievable; originally an expression for the effects of hallucinogenic drugs
5. Pump iron -- lift weights
6. Workaholic -- a person who works too much or is addicted to his or her job

1980s 

1. Bodacious -- beautiful
2. Chillin' -- relaxing
3. Dweeb -- a nerd; someone who is not cool
4. Fly -- cool; very hip
5. Gag me with a spoon -- disgusting
6. Gnarly -- exceptional; very cool
7. Preppy -- one who dresses in designer clothing and has a neat, clean-cut appearance
8. Wicked -- excellent; great
9. Yuppie -- Young Urban Professional; a college-educated person with a well-paying job who lives near a big city; often associated with a materialistic and superficial personality

1990s Slang Terms

1. Diss -- show disrespect
2. Get jiggy -- dance; flirt
3. Homey/Homeboy -- a friend or buddy
4. My bad -- my mistake
5. Phat -- cool or hip; highly attractive; hot
6. Wassup? -- What's up?; How are you?
7. Word -- yes; I agree

2000s 

1. Barney Bag -- a gigantic purse
2. Newbie -- a newcomer; someone who is inexperienced
3. Peeps -- friends; people
4. Rents -- parents
5. Sweet -- beyond cool

After looking through the list, I think my favourites are from the 1920 - the cat's pyjamas and the bee's knees. Hey! I hear vintage is cool too.