These 20 Slang Terms From The 1950s Need To Come Back ASAP!
Will Stefanski
Slang words often inform us about the era in which they were created. They are words that fill a need whether that need be abbreviation, to name the nameless, or to conceal the mysteries of youth from prying adults (read more about slang here). The 50s were ripe with slang terms that we still use to this day. But some of the best slang words from this era have been lost in time, while others still get used here and there. We’ve dug up 20 of our favorites in hopes that they will have another chance at entering the vernacular.
Via/ State Archives of Florida
Ankle-biter (noun): a young, needy child.
Burn rubber (expression): to accelerate the car suddenly.
Dig it (noun): to enjoy something, or to get into it.
Dullsville (adjective): a boring or dull event or person.
Egghead (noun): an nerd or intellectual; derogative.
Get on the horn (expression): to use the telephone.
Get your kicks (expression): to have fun.
Knuckle sandwich (noun): to get punched, usually in the face.
Lose your cool (expression): to get angry.
No sweat (expression): something that was easy.
Pad (noun): someone’s home; as in “let’s go back to my pad, baby.”
Rag top (noun): a convertible car.
Shook up (expression): very excited.
Shuckster (noun): a trickster, a cheater, or a liar.
Square (noun): someone who is old-fashioned and not “hip.”
Split (verb): to leave in a hurry, as in “let’s split this joint.”
Via/ Flickr
Threads (noun): your duds, your clothes, your cool outfit.
Wazoo (noun): someone’s butt.
Wig chop (noun): a hair cut.
With it (expression): in style, hip, the opposite of a square.
What’s your favorite 50s slang?
Let us know in the comments!