Words and phrases from 1920s
Never under-estimate the power of words to communicate culture and define the spirit of the age. In 2020, the words “pandemic,” “lockdown,” “COVID,” “remote,” “anti-masker,” “unprecedented” and “unmute” were all chosen as “meaningful terms” or as “word[s] of the year.”
To further explore how words can capture and transmit the ideas and beliefs of the time, let’s take a look at the 1920s in words. One-hundred years ago, you might have overheard these expressions in a café or while riding the bus. (Definitions from Merriam-Webster, Wordnik, Dictionary.com, and Wikipedia.
Bees knees — someone or something splendid or stylish; admirable (also, cat’s meow); a cocktail with gin, lemon, and honey that dates back to the Prohibition.
Be on the nut — to be without money; broke
Bimbo — a brutish, unintelligent man; a bully
Cat’s pajamas — a term of endearment
Clam — a dollar or a buck
Dewdropper — a lazy, unemployed man
Ducky — all right, fine, good
Flat tire — a disappointing date
Giggle water — alcohol
Glad rags — party clothes
Handcuff — a wedding or engagement ring
Have the bees — to have money, to be rich
Heeled — carrying a gun
Hotsy totsy — okay, perfect
Icy mitt — rejection from one’s boyfriend or girlfriend
Jake — satisfactory or cool
Jalopy — an old, run-down automobile; a clunker
Know one’s onions — to be experienced or knowledgeable about something
Large — 1000 dollars (“10 large” would be $10,000)
Mouthpiece — a lawyer, especially a criminal lawyer
Now you’re on the trolly — to understand or catch on
Oil can — a naïve or unsophisticated person
Out on the roof — to be drunk; to drink in excess
Quilt — an alcoholic drink that keeps you warm
Sawbuck — a 10-dollar bill
Skate around — to be of easy virtue
Soak — to pawn
Sob sister — a writer or journalist who specializes in emotional or sentimental articles
Two bits — 25 cents
Wet blanket — someone who ruins other people’s fun; a drag
Have any other phrases from the 1920s? Please add them in the comment section.
This post was also published on Ragan Communication’s PR Daily.
