The A-Z's Of 1920s Slang
Let's bring back the fast talk, because it's the bees-knees junior. Seriously let's make this happen.
A is for Ankle
To walk, i.e. "Let's ankle!"
B is for Boozehound
A drunkard. "Get that boozehound out of here."
C is for Canceled Stamp
A wall flower or shy girl. "Shelly? She is such a canceled stamp don't even bother."
D is for Drugstore Cowboy
A well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women. "I've seen that drugstore cowboy around."
E is for Egg
A person who lives a life of extravagance. "He's a funny egg."
F is for Flivver
Any old broken down car. "I'm stuck driving this flivver for now."
G is for Glad Rags
"Going out on the town" clothes. " Girls, get on your glad rags and lets go!"
H is for Handcuff
An engagement ring. "Let me see that handcuff!"
I is for Icy Mitt
To reject as a suitor; a cold or hostile reception. i.e. "She gave him the icy mitt."
J is for Juice Joint
An illegal bar (also called a speakeasy) that sold alcohol during prohibition. "We're all headed to that juice joint tonight."
K is for "Know Your Onions"
To know one's business or what one is talking about. "Oh, he know's his onions there is no doubt about that."
L is for "Let's Blouse"
Lets get outta here! "This party is a drag, let's blouse."
M is for Mrs. Grundy
A bookish prude or uptight woman. "She is such a Mrs. Grundy that she refuses to go into the water."
N is for Nifty.
A common phrase meaning neat, cool, or handy. "She was wearing this really nifty, low-cut dress with a fringe around the hem"
O is for Oliver Twist
A very skilled dancer. "Look at you, Oliver Twist!"
P is for Petting Pantry
A movie theatre. Also used when one or more couples were making out in a room. "What's showing at the petting pantry?"
Q is for Quilt.
A drink that warms you up! " I need a nice quilt."
R is for Rub
A student dance party. "Will I see you at the rub tonight?"
S is for Splifficated.
To get very drunk. "My word, i'm positively splifficated."
T is for "Tell it to Sweeney!"
"Tell someone who cares." This saying also became a slogan for the New York Daily News. " Go tell it to sweeney".
U is for Upchuck
Getting sick from alcohol. "Oh, Peter is going to upchuck."
V is for Vamp
An aggressive tease or flirt. "What a vamp Carol is!"
W is for Wurp
A wet-blanket, kill joy, or debbie downer. " No need to be such a Wurp."
X was tough, so here's a nifty cat instead.
Y is for "You slay me!"
A phrase used if you find someone particularly funny. "Are you serious? You slay me."
Z is for completely Zozzled.
Drunk, wasted, or completely gone. "The entire speakeasy was zozzled."
