I learned a couple things from the response to my article on slang phrases from the 1920s. From flappers to rappers a sampling of slang by decade 1920s bees knees, cats pajamas the ultimate gams a womans legs dogs feet. The pdf includes instructions for printing and assembly. Slang from the 1920s david spencers education paragon. As with any era, the 1920s had time period specific slang. Big cheese the most important or influential person. Its fucking jizz, and dont let any flapper tell you otherwise. English slang terms and phrases of the 1920s penlighten. What are some that you ladies can come up with that would make the party fun im interested to see what we get. Students work individual, partners, or groups to come up with what they believe these words mean.
In fact, 90 to 100 years ago, the common slang terms were completely different from what we hear todayand often pretty funny. These slang words where used frequently by the new breed of woman of the 1920s. 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. The roaring twenties really did have the coolest vernacular ever. 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. Slang from the 1920s hey, fat cats, this is your governor with a bees knees assignment. Time to remember teenage flapper 1920s reel 1 19201929. In the 1920s, people would throw this phrase around as a synonym for the bees knees or the cats meow. Ones best self, often in relation to a competition. 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. Splifficated and other obscure slang words from the 1920s. If you dont request extra foot juice tonight at that dive bar where you order the subpar pinot grigio, you are doing something wrong. No, youre not a broke college student cramming for a final, youre in the backseat of a car.
Going along similar lines, a handcuff referred to an engagement ring. The 1920sbrought a whole new musical language to broadway. Please do not resell my file or the finished product. What links here related changes upload file special pages permanent link page information wikidata item.
Also the same slang words from the 1920 s are still used in the current decade. From the website of an awardwinning english teacher in georgia. Also the same slang words from the 1920s are still used in the current decade. Prohibition be damned, words were just better in the 1920s. Ella hartung recorded this dictionary of 1920s slang words for the flapper in 1922 absent treatment dancing with bashful partner.
Applesauce an expletive same as horsefeathers, as in ah applesauce. A person, can be said to either a man or a woman bangtails. Lets see if these pieces of marriage advice from the. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Asked in idioms, cliches, and slang, definitions what is the difference between slang and pretentious words. This is a great unit opener for a 1920sgreat depression unit, and i. Same as the lindy hop, a dance created in the 1920s and 1930s. Where can you find slang words from the 1920s answers.
Its no coincidence that the most popular slang terms in the 1920s were related to alcohol and money, the two most defining. 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. 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. This was still a slang word back in the day, but it actually meant a toughlooking man. If youve ever wanted to talk like characters from an old movie or the folks from the great gatsby, nows your chance. A to z 1920s slang guide for flappers glamour daze. 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. Write a poem or song lyrics, using slang to write something funny about love. What you will receive is a pdf file sized to print on 8x10. Now you just have to practice talking really, really fast so you can say this old slang. This penlighten article is a comprehensive compilation of the. Receive files immediately after purchase via an email from etsy. This was the first decade that emphasized the youth culture over the older generation.
In the 1920s, it was also slang for a wedding ring. 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. 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. All wet describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, hes all wet. An alarm clock is the last person you want around when youre trying to have fun. Pages in category 1920s slang the following 2 pages are in this category, out of 2 total. Each definition is accompanied by a flapper doodle drawing. 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. 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.
Lets bring back the fast talk, because its the beesknees junior. There are 24 slang terms used during the 1920s on the worksheet such as. This could be in a conversation between people, a story about something, a journal entry, or a diary, etc. The scenario describes a father desperately trying to make sense of the conversation that his daughter lucy, a flapper, is having with his son.
Which format was used in the movies of the 1910s 1920s. This product is a great way to introduce and grab your students attention for the 1920s era. Write a description of changes or demonstrate the changes in the living andor working conditions of your chosen character from the period 19001929. These slang words where used frequently by the new breed of woman of the 1920 s. Read story 1920s slang script by herecomesholls holly with 3,557 reads. Below you will find an alphabetical listing of slang words used in the jazz age. 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. 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. As with any era, the 1920 s had time period specific slang. The concise a to z guide to 1920s slang for flappers. 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. For the twenties lovers among us, here are 59 of the eras best slang phrases. Each group will write a play for a flapper murder mystery set in a 1920s speakeasy. Shorter slang dictionary saidna zulfiqar bin tahir. 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. Slang of the 1920s slang meaning slang meaning all my whiskers nonsense.
A pdf document containing a fairly comprehensive list of 1920s slang terms can be downloaded at the bottom of this page. I am going to put a small 1920s slang dictionary on the back of my menus. Especially in the united states, the 1920s was also accompanied with a dizzying amount of slang, most of which was used by young. A list of some of the slang words used in the a famous term is. 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. Then write a paragraph using at least 10 of the following terms. No, youre not dressed up in your finest black trash bags. In a hilarious instance of 1920s slang, noodle juice meant tea. The 1920s fascination with slang quick and dirty tips.