The 1920s were a colorful decade with a lot of slang, especially in the US. Slang related to alcohol, fun, changing morals, and criminal activity. Many phrases are still used today and reflect the era’s attitudes towards sexuality, jazz, and women’s liberation.
The 1920s were a colorful decade in both Europe and America, sandwiched between the hardships of the two world wars. Especially in the United States, the 1920s were also accompanied by a dizzying amount of slang, most of which was used by young people. Many slang phrases from the 1920s are still used in modern English, such as “baby” for girlfriend, “necking” for making out, “john” for toilet, and “joe” for coffee. Others have faded into obscurity, only to be brought back to life in films and books celebrating the 1920s.
1920s slang is often related to alcohol and having fun, since Prohibition put a premium on both of those things. The slang also reflects changing morals and ideas, particularly about sexuality. Flappers, young women who enjoyed risque dresses and late-night dancing, abounded, as did dads, wealthy older men, to support them. Many of these terms suggest a sense of amusement and mischief, both rampant in the 1920s.
An attractive woman in 1920s parlance was a Sheba, while a man was a Sheik. The two could spend a night on the cuddly bunny, in the backseat of a car, assuming neither of them got up from drinking too much booze. A woman might also hold back the proceedings by declaring “the bank is closed,” or she might be a wet blanket and want to go home early. People who stayed out late were known as owls, a term that has lasted to this day.
Something particularly excellent could be the bee’s knees, the cat’s pajamas or the cat’s meow. A woman might be dressed up in her merry rags for a late night on the town, which means she put some care into her looks and wore her most beautiful clothes. After a blind date, one or more participants might carry a flashlight for the other, assuming no one has been slapped in the kisser or mouth. Being a good bitch, a dancer, was also a valuable trait.
Given the criminal atmosphere of the 1920s, it should come as no surprise that many 1920s slang terms were related to criminal activity. Someone could be fleeing the fuzz, indicating they were avoiding the police, or “level”, for law-abiding and reasonable. In a hairy situation, someone could be scapegoated, face retribution, or be framed for a crime. When a township or club was raided, celebrants usually rushed in an effort to avoid being penalised.
In the 1920s, a property might be as luxurious as the hotel chain, meaning it was extremely beautiful. People were advised not to take wooden nickels, a colorful way of saying “don’t be stupid”, and drifters would be urged to “move” to “move!” And, of course, people were reminded to “watch out for the beeswax” if they got too nosy.
The long-term endurance of many 1920s slang terms can be related to a general glorification of the era. It is also probably because the 1920s marked a marked change in attitudes, especially for young people, and paved the way for many other things, from the spread of jazz to the women’s liberation movement. Thus, the neologisms of the 1920s have particular resonance as many of them describe new concepts.
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