1950s Slang for People
Whether you want to tell everyone how cool your friend is or how annoying your younger sibling is, the 1950s had slang for that! Check out the slang words below that are best used to describe certain types of people, personas, or attitudes: Actor: A show-off Ankle-biter: A small child Ape: Someone who’s really mad Backseat bingo: Someone (or the action of) making out in the backseat of a car Bad news: Someone who’s difficult to be around Bash ears: Someone who talks too much Beatnik: A young person who’s into a “party” lifestyle (drugs, music, alcohol) Bird dog: Someone who tries to steal your girl Cat: A hip or cool person Circled: Someone who’s (or the act of being) married Curtain climbers: Small children Dingaling: A nerd Fast: Someone who is quick to be physical in a relationship Fake out: A bad date Hipster: Someone who’s cool or with the times Party pooper: Someone who’s not fun to be around Slodge: A friend Shim: Someone who dislikes rock and roll music Spaz: Someone who’s clumsy Square: Someone who sticks to traditional social norms Turkey: Someone who is seen as “useless” Wet rag: Someone who’s boring
1950s Slang for Places & Things
In the 1950s, there was slang for just about anything. Cars, glasses, clothes, bathrooms—you name it! Check out the list below to see what folks in the 50s called everyday objects and places: Antsville: A crowded place Apple butter: Smooth talk Bash: A party Blanket: A sandwich Bit: A joke Bread: Money Can: Toilet or bathroom Chariot: A car or vehicle Cheaters (or peepers): Eyeglasses Drag: An unofficial car race Earth pads: Shoes Fat City: A great place Flick: A movie Flip top (or rag top): A convertible car Gig: A job Heat: The police Horn: Telephone Knuckle sandwich: A punch in the face Machine: A hot rod car Nest: A hairstyle Nuggets: Loose change Passion pit: A drive-in theater Pad: Where someone lives Rock: A diamond Tank: A big car Threads: Clothes Wig chop: A haircut
1950s Slang Expressions
If you were chillin’ with your pals in the 1950s, chances are, you’d say one or more of these expressions. Below is a list of popular 1950s phrases and expressions to depict everyday emotions or feelings: Agitate the gravel: To leave a car quickly Ain’t that a bite: That’s too bad Bake a biscuit: Make a record Blast: A really good time Big tickle: Something really funny B*tchin’: A good time Boss: Something great Cloud nine: Being very happy Come on snake, let’s rattle: Come dance or let’s fight Cookin’ with gas: Doing something the best way Cranked: Being super excited Cruisin’ for a bruisin’: Looking for trouble Cut the gas: Be quiet Dig: To really like something Don’t have a cow: Don’t freak out Flip a lid: Going crazy Fracture: To fill with delight or cause laughter Frosted: To be angry Gangbusters: Something successful Ginchy: Excellent Goose it: Accelerate it Got the zorros: Feeling nervous Grody: Something sloppy or messy Having a ball: Having a good time In orbit: In the know Kick: Something that’s fun Lay dead: Wait a minute Nifty: Great or cool No sweat: No problem Radioactive: Something popular or trendy Rattle your cage: Someone who annoys you Razz my berries: Impress me Real gone: Being head-over-heels in love Right-o: Okay Scream: To go fast in a car Split: To leave Tight: To be good friends with someone What’s buzzin’, cuzzin’?: What’s new? Word from the bird: The truth
1950s Slang for Women
Ladies, if you were called one of these phrases in the 1950s, you were the cat’s meow! Check out these popular slang terms used to describe women back in the day: Classy chassis: A woman that has an attractive figure Dolly: A cute girl Fly: An attractive girl Fuzzy duck: A girl with short hair Paper shaker: A cheerleader Queen: A popular girl Stacked: A woman with a big bottom
1950s Slang for Men
Gentlemen, there’s no doubt you were good-looking if someone called you one of these phrases in the 1950s! Here is a list of the most popular 1950s slang terms used to describe a man: Bundie: A guy in need of a haircut Daddy-o: A man or father Deb’s delight: An eligible bachelor Dreamboat: A cute guy Flutter bum: An attractive man Greaser: A tough guy
Using 1950s Slang
Replace your everyday vocab with 1950s words and phrases for a retro vibe. Using 1950s slang is easier than you may think! Simply use the words as defined to describe something or someone or express an emotion. Here are some examples: Instead of saying, “Are you going to the party tonight? It's going to be so much fun!” try, “Are you going to the bash tonight? It's going to be kicking!” If something is cool, say, “That’s nifty!” Rather than saying “goodbye,” go with, “I’ve got to split. See you tomorrow!” Keep in mind that some of these phrases or words may be a bit offensive today, so use them with caution.
Where can you hear 1950s slang?
Take in some iconic pop culture from the '50s to soak up the slang. The entertainment industry may be always changing, but it’s also a time capsule of information. Books, movies, and music from the 1950s have kept the culture intact, making it easy to dive into that 1950s aesthetic whenever you want! Best movies from the 1950s: 12 Angry Men (1957) and Seven Samurai (1954) Best TV shows from the 1950s: I Love Lucy and The Twilight Zone Best music from the 1950s: “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Hailey & His Comets and “Mack the Knife” by Bobby Darin Best books from the 1950s: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote Similarly, many shows and movies produced today are themed or set in the 1950s, such as The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Grease.
Listen for '50s slang that stuck around in our daily lingo. You just might hear some 1950s slang in your everyday life. You’ve likely heard some of the words and phrases above, and that’s no surprise! Much of the slang used in the 1950s is still being used today. For instance, you may be familiar with “split,” “tight,” “gig,” and “knuckle sandwich.” Similarly, you may be more familiar with these phrases if you engage with an older crowd or older media more often.
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