I’m pretty sure everyone here in the United States uses a slang word from time to time. Maybe Professor Higgins doesn’t, but he’s in London. Anyway, it moves from decade to decade. We had the groovy 1960s vibes. It wasn’t long before things were rad in the 1980s. And who could forget the lit 2000s?
Certainly, each generation, and then each era, has boasted its unique slang words and phrases.
So, what exactly is “Slang” in our language?
By definition, slang words are a type of language that consists of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people. Slang words are meant to convey meaning in a playful, humorous, or emphatic way. It also adds emphasis and color to communication. It makes communication more relatable among groups. Awesome dude.
So, how did slang start? I mean, did the cave people use slang “Ughs” and “Oohffs” in their daily lives?
Probably not.
But slang has a long history, with its origins dating back several centuries. In fact, we can consider some language in the Medieval Period (5th to 15th centuries) to be termed “slang.” But, informal language has existed since at least the medieval period. During this time, various regional dialects and informal speech patterns emerged, especially among lower classes and marginalized groups.
We also saw a rise during the 17th century. Many words that are now considered slang were used during this period. However, the term “slang” itself first appeared in print in the early 18th century. The use of slang became more widespread, particularly in urban areas.
While I don’t use it much anymore, there was a time when I was probably right in there with my “Slanguage.” Like. “Hard Cheese, Baby.” And. “Take a Chill Pill, will ya’?”
I recently found an article in the online Reader’s Digest from some time ago. It gave “slang examples” from all the decades dating back to the 1920s. It is fun to browse. It seems I might be stuck in all the decades prior to the 1980s.
Here it is. Reprinted. Word for word, thanks to Reader’s Digest.
While “cool” might be the longstanding “hit” even today, there are plenty of others.
So enjoy the list. It’s totally Jake.
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1920s Slang Examples
Step back into the Roaring Twenties, a time when jazz was hot, flappers were the cat’s meow and the nightlife was as illicit as it was exhilarating. Get ready to scram from the humdrum and dive into the giggle water of the past with these top 20 slang terms that defined the Jazz Age.
1. Bee’s knees: An outstanding person or thing
2. Blotto: Extremely drunk
3. Cat’s meow: Something splendid or stylish
4. Dapper: Neat and stylish in dress and appearance
5. Doll: An attractive woman
6. Ducky: Charming or delightful
7. Gams: Legs, especially a woman’s legs
8. Giggle water: Alcoholic beverage
9. Heebie-jeebies: The feeling of anxiety or fear
10. Hooch: Illicit liquor
11. Jake: Okay or fine
12. Keen: Attractive or appealing
13. Moll: A gangster’s girlfriend
14. Petting party: A social gathering for kissing and light making out
15. Scram: Leave immediately
16. Speakeasy: An illicit bar or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages during Prohibition
17. Whoopee: To have a good time or celebrate boisterously
1930s Slang Examples
The 1930s were an era defined by the grit and resilience of a nation grappling with the Great Depression. Amid the economic hardships, people found solace in swing music, Hollywood’s Golden Age and radio shows that provided an escape from everyday struggles. The slang of the 1930s reflects the spirit of the times, full of creativity, humor and a touch of defiance.
1. All wet: Completely wrong
2. Big house: Prison
3. Bumps: Whispers or rumors
4. Cactus: Dead or finished
5. Cat: A cool person, often a jazz enthusiast
6. Cheesed off: Annoyed or angry
7. Crumb: A despicable person
8. Darb: Something or someone wonderful
9. Dish: An attractive woman
10. G-man: FBI agent
11. Hard-boiled: Tough or unemotional
12. Hooey: Nonsense
13. Moxie: Courage or nerve
14. Patsy: A scapegoat or someone who is easily duped
15. Ritzy: Elegant or fancy
16. Socko: Impressive or powerful
17. Yegg: A safecracker or burglar
1940s Slang Examples
The 1940s were an era forged by the trials of World War II and ignited by the hopeful dawn of the post-war boom. This decade was a melting pot of resilience and innovation, where slang terms bubbled up from the battlefields, glittered under Hollywood’s spotlights and peppered everyday conversations.
1. A-1: Excellent or first-class
2. Applesauce: Nonsense or flattery
3. Beat feet: To leave quickly
4. Big cheese: An important person
5. Blockbuster: A huge success, originally a large bomb used in the war
6. Bombshell: An extremely attractive woman
7. Bum rap: A false accusation
8. Chicken: Cowardly
9. Cool: Stylish, sophisticated and composed, specifically derived from jazz culture
10. Crummy: Bad or of poor quality
11. Ducky: Great or fine
12. Flip your wig: To lose control
13. Gobbledygook: Language that is meaningless or hard to understand
14. Jive: Popular slang or talk related to jazz culture
15. Killer-diller: Excellent or impressive
16. Lush: A habitual consumer of alcohol
17. Pad: A place to live
18. Peepers: Eyes
19. Slick: Smooth or impressive
20. Snap your cap: To lose your temper
1950s Slang Examples
The 1950s saw a post-war world settling into a new era of prosperity and cultural shifts. Rock’ n’ roll music, drive-in movies and the rise of the suburban lifestyle defined this decade. The language of the 1950s reflects the optimism and new cultural norms that emerged during this time.
1. Ankle-biter: A small child
2. Backseat bingo: Making out in a car
3. Cruisin’ for a bruisin’: Looking for trouble
4. Daddy-O: A term of address, similar to “man” or “dude”
5. Decked out: Dressed up
6. Dig: To understand or appreciate something
7. Dullsville: A boring or dull place
8. Hip: Cool or stylish
9. Hopped up: Under the influence of drugs
10. Knuckle sandwich: A punch in the face
11. Made in the shade: Successful or assured of success
12. Necking: Kissing and making out
13. Pad: Someone’s house or apartment
14. Threads: Clothes
1960s Slang Examples
The 1960s were a time of profound social change, political upheaval and cultural revolution. From the Civil Rights Movement to the Summer of Love, this decade was all about challenging the status quo and exploring new frontiers. The slang of the 1960s reflects the rebellious and innovative spirit of the era.
1. Bogart: To hog something, usually a joint
2. Bread: Money
3. Far out: Amazing or cool
4. Fuzz: The police
5. Groovy: Cool or fantastic
6. Hang loose: Relax and take it easy
7. Hippie: A person of the counterculture, embracing peace and love
8. Jazzed: Excited or thrilled
9. Lay it on me: Tell me or give me the details
10. Mellow: Relaxed and calm
11. Outta sight: Excellent or impressive
12. Peace out: Goodbye
13. Righteous: Excellent or genuine
14. Split: To leave
15. Trip: A drug-induced experience or a strange situation
1970s Slang Examples
The 1970s were marked by disco, bell-bottoms and a laid-back attitude that permeated the culture. This decade saw the continuation of the counterculture movement and the emergence of new musical genres and styles.
1. Boogie: To dance
2. Bummer: A disappointment or bad experience
3. Burnout: Someone who is tired or lacks motivation, often due to drug use
4. Catch you on the flip side: See you later
5. Chill: To relax
6. Crash: To sleep or stay somewhere temporarily
7. Decked out: Dressed up or well-dressed
8. Dynamite: Great or awesome; popularized by the show “Good Times”
9. Foxy: Attractive, usually referring to women
10. Funky: Stylish or cool in an unconventional way
11. Groovy: Cool or fantastic
12. Outta sight: Excellent or impressive; widely used in the late 1960s and 1970s
13. Psyched: Excited or enthusiastic
14. Right on: In agreement or “exactly”
15. Threads: Clothes
16. Veg out: To relax and do nothing
1980s Slang Examples
The 1980s were a decade of excess, marked by bold fashion, blockbuster movies and the rise of video games and personal computers. The slang of the ’80s reflects the vibrant and flashy culture of the time, filled with new technology and trends.
1. Airhead: A silly or foolish person
2. Awesome: Excellent or amazing
3. Bad: Good or impressive
4. Bogus: Fake or not cool
5. Bodacious: Excellent, attractive or remarkable
6. Cowabunga: An exclamation of excitement
7. Dweeb: A socially awkward person
8. Gnarly: Cool or excellent, sometimes also means something challenging
9. Like: Used frequently in speech to emphasize or fill gaps
10. Mallrat: A person who spends a lot of time at the mall
11. Rad: Short for radical, meaning cool or awesome
12. Stoked: Excited or thrilled
13. Take a chill pill: Calm down
14. Totally: Absolutely or completely
1990s Slang Examples
The 1990s saw the rise of the internet, grunge music and a more laid-back approach to life. This decade brought a mix of new technology and nostalgia for simpler times, reflected in the slang of the era.
1. All that and a bag of chips: Excellent; the best
2. As if!: No way or not a chance
3. Bling: Flashy jewelry or accessories
4. Boo-ya: An exclamation of triumph or excitement
5. Da bomb: Excellent or the best
6. Dope: Cool or awesome
7. Fly: Cool or stylish
8. Fresh: New and cool
9. Get jiggy: To dance or get into the groove
10. Homey: A close friend
11. Kickin’: Great or excellent
12. My bad: My mistake or fault
13. No duh: Obviously or no kidding
14. Not!: Used to negate a previous statement
15. Phat: Excellent or stylish
16. Props: Respect or credit
17. Scrub: A guy who is unsuccessful or undesirable
18. Sike: Used to indicate that one was joking or not serious
19. Tight: Excellent or cool
20. Wassup: What’s up? What’s going on?
2000s Slang Examples
The 2000s were defined by the explosion of the internet, reality TV and the first social media platform. This decade saw rapid changes in technology and culture, with slang evolving to match the fast-paced world.
1. BFF: Best friend forever
2. Bootylicious: Sexually attractive, popularized by Destiny’s Child song in 2001
3. Bromance: A close friendship between two men
4. Buff: Muscular or in good physical shape
5. Chillax: Chill and relax combined
6. Deets: Details
7. Fanboy/fangirl: An enthusiastic fan, often to an obsessive degree
8. Fo shizzle: For sure, popularized by Snoop Dogg in the early 2000s
9. Hella: Very or a lot
10. Holla: To call or shout out to someone
11. Home skillet: A close friend
12. Janky: Of poor quality or unreliable
13. Newbie: A newcomer; someone who is inexperienced
14. NSFW: Not safe for work (content that is inappropriate for viewing at work)
15. Peeps: Friends; people
16. Pwned: Completely dominated or defeated (originated in gaming culture in the early 2000s)
17. Rents: Parents
18. Salty: Bitter or upset
2010s Slang Examples
The 2010s were a decade of social media dominance, meme culture and a growing awareness of social and political issues. The slang of the 2010s reflects the influence of internet culture and the rapid spread of new ideas and expressions.
1. Adulting: Acting like a responsible adult
2. Bae: Romantic partner; short for “babe”
3. Boujee: High-class or luxurious; sometimes spelled “bougie,” originating from “bourgeoisie”
4. Cancel: To reject or boycott someone or something, often used in the context of “cancel culture”
5. Extra: Over the top or excessive
6. Fleek (or “on fleek “): Perfectly stylish
7. Ghost: To suddenly cut off all communication
8. High key: Openly or obviously
9. Lit: Fantastic
10. Low key: Subtly or secretly
11. Mood: A relatable feeling or situation
12. Receipts: Proof or evidence
13. Savage: Bold or ruthless
14. Shook: Shocked or scared
15. Slay: To do something exceptionally well
16. Throw shade: To insult or criticize
2020s Slang Examples
The 2020s have been marked by global challenges, technological advancements and a heightened awareness of social issues. Gen Z slang in this decade continues to evolve rapidly, influenced by internet culture, social media and the ongoing changes in society.
1. Bet: Okay or yes, often used to express agreement or confirmation
2. Cap: Lie or falsehood (often used with “no cap” to mean “no lie” or “for real”)
3. Cheugy: Out of date or trying too hard, often used to describe trends that are no longer in style, typically associated with millennial culture
4. Drip: Stylish or fashionable, particularly in reference to clothing and overall appearance
5. Extra: Over-the-top or excessive behavior
6. Green flag: A sign of approval or something positive, often used in dating to indicate a good quality or characteristic in a person; contrast with a red flag, or a warning that one should avoid
7. Hits different: Feels unique or particularly significant, often used to describe an emotional reaction
8. No cap: No lie or for real; used to emphasize the truth of a statement
9. Quarantine and chill: Staying in and relaxing during lockdown, similar to the phrase “Netflix and chill”
10. Rona: Short for “coronavirus” or COVID-19
11. Slaps: Describes something as excellent or enjoyable, particularly music
12. Tea: Gossip or news, often used as “spill the tea” to mean “sharing gossip”
13. Vibe check: Assessing someone’s mood or the atmosphere of a situation
14. Yeet: An exclamation of excitement, approval or surprise, or to throw something forcefully
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“Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going.” — Rita Mae Brown
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“Language is not just a means of communication; it is the means by which we create meaning.” — Federico Fellini
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“Language is the most imperfect and deliciously maddening of all human inventions.” — Paul Auster
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Slang-ish. For a long time. Like, groovy.
