53 Slang Terms by Decade
Every generation has its slang — new words and phrases that allow kids to communicate without their parents understanding. Read on to learn some of the most popular slang terms through the decades.
1920s
- 23 skiddoo — to get going; move along; leave; or scram
- The cat’s pajamas — the best; the height of excellence
- Gams — legs
- The real McCoy — sincere; genuine; the real thing
- Hotsy-totsy — perfect
- Moll — a female companion of a gangster
- Speakeasy — a place where alcohol was illegally sold and drunk during Prohibition
- The bee’s knees — excellent; outstanding
1930s
- I’ll be a monkey’s uncle — sign of disbelief; I don’t believe it!
- Gig — a job
- Girl Friday — a secretary or female assistant
- Juke joint — a casual and inexpensive establishment with drinking, dancing, and blues music, typically in the southeastern United States
- Skivvies — men’s underwear
1940s
- Blockbuster — a huge success
- Keeping up with the Joneses — competing to have a lifestyle or socioeconomic status comparable to one’s neighbors
- Cool — excellent; clever; sophisticated; fashionable; or enjoyable
- Sitting in the hot seat — in a highly uncomfortable or embarrassing situation
- Smooch — kiss
1950s
- Big brother is watching you — someone of authority is monitoring your actions
- Boo-boo — a mistake; a wound
- Hi-fi — high fidelity; a record player or turntable
- Hipster — an innovative and trendy person
1960s
- Daddy-o — a man; used to address a hipster or beatnik
- Groovy — cool; hip; excellent
- Hippie — derived from hipster; a young adult who rebelled against established institutions, criticized middle-class values, opposed the Vietnam War, and promoted sexual freedom
- The Man — a person of authority; a group in power
1970s
- Catch you on the flip side — see you later
- Dig it — to like or understand something
- Get down/Boogie — dance
- Mind-blowing — unbelievable; originally an expression for the effects of hallucinogenic drugs
- Pump iron — lift weights
- Workaholic — a person who works too much or is addicted to his or her job
1980s
- Bodacious — beautiful
- Chillin’ — relaxing
- Dweeb — a nerd; someone who is not cool
- Fly — cool; very hip
- Gag me with a spoon — disgusting
- Gnarly — exceptional; very cool
- Preppy — one who dresses in designer clothing and has a neat, clean-cut appearance
- Wicked — excellent; great
- 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
- Diss — show disrespect
- Get jiggy — dance; flirt
- Homey/Homeboy — a friend or buddy
- My bad — my mistake
- Phat — cool or hip; highly attractive; hot
- Wassup? — What’s up?; How are you?
- Word — yes; I agree
- Barney Bag — a gigantic purse
- Newbie — a newcomer; someone who is inexperienced
- Peeps — friends; people
- Rents — parents
- Sweet — beyond cool
