In the 1920s, it was also slang for a wedding ring. I am going to put a small 1920s slang dictionary on the back of my menus. Big cheese the most important or influential person. As with any era, the 1920s had time period specific slang. This was the first decade that emphasized the youth culture over the older generation. A list of some of the slang words used in the a famous term is. An alarm clock is the last person you want around when youre trying to have fun. The concise a to z guide to 1920s slang for flappers. These slang words where used frequently by the new breed of woman of the 1920s. The 1920s was a colorful decade in both europe and america, sandwiched between the hardships of the two world wars. But beyond these shorter hemlines and daring fashion attitudes was a strong undercurrent of change for women in the roaring 1920s.
Applesauce an expletive same as horsefeathers, as in ah applesauce. Which format was used in the movies of the 1910s 1920s. Slang from the 1920s hey, fat cats, this is your governor with a bees knees assignment. Learn to speak like a real 1920s flapper with this spiffy collection of flash cards. The twenties were the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations, and the flapper subculture had a tremendous. Bees knees an extraordinary person, thing, idea berries is attractive or pleasing. If youve ever wanted to talk like characters from an old movie or the folks from the great gatsby, nows your chance. Slang of the 1920 s the twenties were the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations, and the flapper subculture had a tremendous influence on mainstream america. A person, can be said to either a man or a woman bangtails.
Going along similar lines, a handcuff referred to an engagement ring. Its no coincidence that the most popular slang terms in the 1920s were related to alcohol and money, the two most defining. This is a great unit opener for a 1920sgreat depression unit, and i. The twenties were the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations, and the flapper subculture had a tremendous influence on main stream america. Jive talk, harlem jive or simply jive was an africanamerican vernacular english slang that. Words come in and out of vogue, and 90 years down the road, the words that you heard or saw on social media several times a day could very well have gone the way of these words that make you sound old.
This could be in a conversation between people, a story about something, a journal entry, or a diary, etc. Also the same slang words from the 1920 s are still used in the current decade. Now you just have to practice talking really, really fast so you can say this old slang. This product is a great way to introduce and grab your students attention for the 1920s era. Then write a paragraph using at least 10 of the following terms.
The pdf includes instructions for printing and assembly. I learned a couple things from the response to my article on slang phrases from the 1920s. However, i also found out that the internet loves the 1920s as much as i do except for the overt racism, ban on alcohol and regressive gender politics, of course. Slang of the 1920s if the 20th century was the american century, then surely the 1920s were the american decade, and if new york was the true capital of this creative and economic hubbub, then surely it too was the capital of the englishspeaking worldfor better or worse. No, youre not a broke college student cramming for a final, youre in the backseat of a car. Weve included some of these terms and phrases here so that you could brush up on your 1920s slang prior to coming to our show. Read story 1920s slang script by herecomesholls holly with 3,557 reads. In the 1920s, people would throw this phrase around as a synonym for the bees knees or the cats meow. Weve included some of these terms and phrases here so that you could brush up on your 1920 s slang prior to coming to our show. This penlighten article is a comprehensive compilation of the. A to z 1920s slang guide for flappers glamour daze.
Also the same slang words from the 1920s are still used in the current decade. Please do not resell my file or the finished product. For the twenties lovers among us, here are 59 of the eras best slang phrases. Each definition is accompanied by a flapper doodle drawing. Lets bring back the fast talk, because its the beesknees junior. Read the pages in your textbook canadian history a sense of time and use 12 of the following 1920s slang words to tell a story about the hardships faced in the early 1920s by soldiers pages 62,63, job hunters pages 66,67, farmers, immigrants children. Each group will write a play for a flapper murder mystery set in a 1920s speakeasy. The roaring twenties really did have the coolest vernacular ever. From flappers to rappers a sampling of slang by decade 1920s bees knees, cats pajamas the ultimate gams a womans legs dogs feet. Splifficated and other obscure slang words from the 1920s.
Lets turn back in time and slip into the jazz age of the 1920s, relive the era by getting zozzled on some jag juice it will be the bees knees. Slang and unconventional english 1984 and the new material that first appeared in a concise dictionary of slang and unconventional english 1989, although articles have also been specially written for items that came into currency in the 1990s. Pages in category 1920s slang the following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. An early example of this generational confusion is sunday morning breakfast, a humorous piece by rob fukerson that appeared in the detroit free press in 1922. In fact, 90 to 100 years ago, the common slang terms were completely different from what we hear todayand often pretty funny. Same as the lindy hop, a dance created in the 1920s and 1930s.
Especially in the united states, the 1920s was also accompanied with a dizzying amount of slang, most of which was used by young. Write a description of changes or demonstrate the changes in the living andor working conditions of your chosen character from the period 19001929. Students work individual, partners, or groups to come up with what they believe these words mean. What you will receive is a pdf file sized to print on 8x10. Synonymous with another 1920s slang term, a fire extinguisher, this noun is used to refer to a chaperone whos killing the party vibe the berries. Even if all of your guests know nothing about the 20s, this would still be an awesome game to play as it will give everyone a chance to enjoy a fun brain game. Ella hartung recorded this dictionary of 1920s slang words for the flapper in 1922 absent treatment dancing with bashful partner. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link page information wikidata item. If you dont request extra foot juice tonight at that dive bar where you order the subpar pinot grigio, you are doing something wrong.
As with any era, the 1920 s had time period specific slang. No, youre not dressed up in your finest black trash bags. A pdf document containing a fairly comprehensive list of 1920s slang terms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. From the website of an awardwinning english teacher in georgia. The 1920s fascination with slang quick and dirty tips. Time to remember teenage flapper 1920s reel 1 19201929.
All wet describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, hes all wet. Write a poem or song lyrics, using slang to write something funny about love. Below you will find an alphabetical listing of slang words used in the jazz age. Asked in idioms, cliches, and slang, definitions what is the difference between slang and pretentious words.
Where can you find slang words from the 1920s answers. Along with the flappers and alcohol, the slang of the 1920s had a big influence on america. Slang meaning slang meaning bull session group discussion licketysplit quickly bunk nonsense. The 1920sbrought a whole new musical language to broadway. Lets see if these pieces of marriage advice from the. Its fucking jizz, and dont let any flapper tell you otherwise. In a hilarious instance of 1920s slang, noodle juice meant tea. This was still a slang word back in the day, but it actually meant a toughlooking man. Receive files immediately after purchase via an email from etsy. English slang terms and phrases of the 1920s penlighten. Slang of the 1920s slang meaning slang meaning all my whiskers nonsense. These slang words where used frequently by the new breed of woman of the 1920 s. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Ones best self, often in relation to a competition.
Slang from the 1920s david spencers education paragon. Prohibition be damned, words were just better in the 1920s. There are 24 slang terms used during the 1920s on the worksheet such as. What are some that you ladies can come up with that would make the party fun im interested to see what we get. The scenario describes a father desperately trying to make sense of the conversation that his daughter lucy, a flapper, is having with his son. Shorter slang dictionary saidna zulfiqar bin tahir.