How Much Slang Do You Remember From the 50s?

Question 1

What does the slang term cool cat mean in 1950s teen talk?

Question 1

In 1950s teen slang, what was a square?

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What did the nickname daddy-o mean among 1950s teens?

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When someone said dig it in the 1950s, what were they asking?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word chick usually refer to?

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If something was described as swell in the 1950s, how did people feel about it?

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What did it mean to be hip in 1950s youth culture?

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In 1950s lingo, what were threads?

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What was a dreamboat in 1950s popular slang?

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If a party was called a gas in the 1950s, what did that mean?

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What did the expression beat feet mean to 1950s teens?

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In 1950s teen talk, who was a greaser?

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What did the word pad mean in 1950s slang?

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When hot-rodders said burn rubber, what were they doing?

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What did the phrase made in the shade mean in 1950s slang?

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In 1950s slang, what was a sock hop?

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What did going steady mean for a 1950s teen couple?

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In 1950s dating slang, what did it mean when a girl got pinned?

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What did the phrase flip your lid mean in 1950s slang?

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In 1950s car culture, what was a hot rod?

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What did it mean if someone was described as real gone?

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When teens called something keen in the 1950s, what did they mean?

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In 1950s slang, what did knockout usually describe?

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What did the word flick mean to a 1950s teenager?

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In 1950s teen slang, what did cruisin mean?

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Who was a beatnik in 1950s culture?

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If something was called boss in 1950s teen slang, how was it viewed?

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What did the phrase cut a rug mean at a 1950s dance?

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In 1950s slang, what did teens mean by wheels?

Question 1

When someone said no sweat in the 1950s, what were they saying?

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Which 1950s slang term meant someone was dull or boring to be around?

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Which slang word would a 1950s teen use to praise someone’s stylish clothing?

Question 1

At a 1950s drive-in, teens talk about playing backseat bingo. What are they referring to?

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A 1950s teen says do not be such a drip. What are they calling you?

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Which slang phrase would a 1950s teen use to mean calm down or relax?

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In 1950s slang, who or what was the fuzz?

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When a teen called a car cherry in the 1950s, what were they complimenting?

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Which 1950s slang term described a very attractive man?

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If something was said to be out of this world in the 1950s, how good was it?

Question 1

What did the slang term Antsville describe in 1950s talk?

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A teen says that teacher is really on my case. Which similar 1950s slang could they use?

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If a 1950s teen threatened you with a knuckle sandwich, what were they offering?

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When someone was called real George in 1950s slang, what did that mean?

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Which slang term might a 1950s teen use to refer to a beautiful girl?

Question 1

In 1950s music slang, what did it mean when a band was cookin?

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When a teen said I am totally pooped in the 1950s, how were they feeling?

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In 1950s slang, what was a juke joint or jukebox joint known for?

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Which 1950s slang expression meant a teen was overreacting or getting extremely upset?

Question 1

A teen says that test was a drag. What do they mean?

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In 1950s teen slang, what did the term paper shaker refer to?

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What was a passion pit in 1950s slang?

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A teen brags my new jacket is the ginchest. What are they saying?

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In 1950s slang, what did the phrase cruisin for a bruisin mean?

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Which abbreviation did 1950s teens use for a juvenile delinquent?

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A teen complains that party was Endsville. What do they mean?

Question 1

In 1950s slang, what did it mean to make the scene?

Question 1

Which 1950s slang term complimented a woman’s figure and stylish look?

Question 1

When a teen said let’s split in the 1950s, what were they suggesting?

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In 1950s slang, what did decked out describe?

Question 1

What did the phrase lay it on me mean in 1950s teen talk?

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A teen says quit razzing me. What are they asking you to stop doing?

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In 1950s slang, what did hang loose encourage someone to do?

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Which expression meant something was truly excellent, better than simply good?

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A teen says that record is really solid. What are they praising?

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In 1950s slang, what did it mean to be in orbit emotionally?

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Which slang phrase would someone use to say I understand or agree with you?

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A teen brags we are cookin with gas now. What are they expressing?

Question 1

In 1950s slang, who was considered a hipster?

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Which slang word described very fun, energetic dancing in the 1950s?

Question 1

What did the acronym BMOC big man on campus mean in 1950s school slang?

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A teen says he went ape. What are they describing?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word nifty mean?

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Which slang term described someone or something slightly silly but still fun?

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When a teen said I am heading to the soda shop, where were they going?

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Among kids in the 1950s, what did slug bug refer to?

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Which phrase did 1950s teens use to mean leave this place quickly?

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A teen calls his favorite hangout Coolsville. What does he mean?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word bread begin to mean?

Question 1

Which superlative slang term meant something was absolutely fantastic, the very best?

Question 1

A teen complains that test was murder. How did they feel about it?

Question 1

In 1950s slang lists, what did the term peepers commonly mean?

Question 1

Which playful 1950s slang term referred to a small child?

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A teen says my old man is flipping his lid. Whom are they talking about?

Question 1

In 1950s slang, what did it mean to call someone solid?

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Which lighthearted expression did 1950s teens use as a casual goodbye?

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A teen says that new song really sends me. What are they expressing?

Question 1

In 1950s slang, what did jitterbugged refer to?

Question 1

Which slang term described a stylishly rebellious youth with slick hair and a leather jacket?

Question 1

A teen says I am really jazzed about the hop tonight. How do they feel?

Question 1

In 1950s slang lists, what did the command cut out usually mean?

1

A scared person who avoids fun

2

A stylish, relaxed person admired for their confident attitude

3

Someone who loves pet cats more than people

4

A person who is always cold

In 1950s slang, a cool cat was a stylish, relaxed person admired for confidence, taste, and composure.

1

A shy person afraid of crowds

2

Someone boring and old-fashioned who avoided new trends

3

A very smart math student

4

Someone who loved dancing at parties

Calling someone a square meant they were conventional, boring, and out of touch with new youth culture and trends.

1

An actual father or parent

2

A clumsy person who trips a lot

3

A friendly, cool way to address a guy

4

A strict teacher or principal

Daddy-O was a laid-back, jazzy nickname used to address a cool guy or friend casually and playfully.

1

Do you understand or like it

2

Can you help me garden

3

Will you bury this for me

4

Can you fix my car

Dig it was a hip way of asking if you understood, appreciated, or agreed with what was being said.

1

A scared person

2

A schoolteacher

3

A small amount of money

4

A young woman or girl

Chick was a casual, sometimes flirty term used by teens to refer to a young woman or girl.

1

They thought it was scary

2

They were bored by it

3

They thought it was great or wonderful

4

They found it confusing and weird

Swell was a popular compliment meaning great, wonderful, or excellent, used to show strong approval or enthusiasm.

1

To be very hungry and tired

2

To be cool, stylish, and in the know

3

To be extremely talkative and loud

4

To be physically injured or limping

Being hip meant you were fashionable, aware of trends, and tuned into the latest music and culture.

1

Clothes or outfits someone was wearing

2

Homework papers from school

3

Telephone wires and cables

4

Pieces of gossip spreading around

Threads was slang for clothing, especially sharp or stylish outfits that made someone look impressively dressed.

1

A very attractive, desirable person

2

A person who tells boring stories

3

A sleepy, lazy person

4

Someone who loves sailing

Dreamboat described someone extremely attractive or charming, often a crush-worthy movie star or local heartthrob.

1

It was incredibly fun and exciting

2

It was dangerous and explosive

3

It was extremely boring

4

It involved cooking all night

Calling something a gas meant it was wildly fun, exciting, and full of laughter and good times.

1

To dance very slowly

2

To leave quickly or run away

3

To stomp in anger

4

To polish your shoes

Beat feet meant to leave in a hurry, whether escaping trouble or simply rushing off somewhere.

1

A teen with slicked-back hair and a love of hot rods

2

A messy cook in a diner

3

A mechanic who fixed airplanes

4

Someone afraid to get dirty

Greaser referred to rebellious teens who styled their hair with grease and loved fast cars and leather jackets.

1

Someone’s home or apartment

2

A seat in a movie theater

3

A notebook for school

4

A shoulder cushion in clothing

Pad was casual slang for a person’s place to live, like an apartment, house, or hangout spot.

1

Speeding off fast in a car

2

Fixing a flat tire

3

Cleaning old shoes

4

Burning trash in the backyard

Burn rubber meant accelerating quickly in a car so the tires squealed and left rubber on the road.

1

Life was easy and things were going very well

2

Someone avoided going outside

3

A room was too dark

4

A person loved gardening

Being made in the shade meant you were in a great situation, with everything going smoothly and comfortably.

1

A game played with laundry

2

A store that sold only socks

3

A fight where socks were weapons

4

A school dance, usually in the gym

A sock hop was a school dance, often held in gymnasiums where students sometimes danced in their socks.

1

Sharing class notes in school

2

Being in an exclusive romantic relationship

3

Walking slowly around the block

4

Arguing all the time

Going steady meant a couple was officially exclusive, often marked by exchanging rings, pins, or special tokens.

1

She failed a test in school

2

She lost a bowling game

3

She was grounded by her parents

4

Her boyfriend gave her his pin to show they were exclusive

Getting pinned meant a boy gave a girl his pin, symbolizing they were officially going steady and committed.

1

To forget your homework

2

To lose your temper or get very excited

3

To change your hairstyle

4

To drop your hat on the floor

Flip your lid meant suddenly becoming very angry, shocked, or wildly excited about something surprising.

1

A bicycle with big tires

2

A broken-down old vehicle

3

A fast, customized car built for speed

4

A crowded city bus

A hot rod was a souped-up car, modified for speed and style, often raced or proudly shown off.

1

They never liked going out

2

They had moved to another country

3

They were permanently missing

4

They were extremely impressed or emotionally swept away

Real gone described someone totally carried away with excitement, music, or love, almost lost in the moment.

1

They found it confusing

2

They considered it dangerous

3

They thought it was excellent or terrific

4

They thought it was childish

Keen was a common compliment meaning excellent, terrific, or impressively good, particularly among enthusiastic teenagers.

1

A difficult school exam

2

A very strikingly attractive person

3

A person who faints easily

4

A boxing match winner

Knockout referred to someone extremely attractive, so good-looking they metaphorically knocked you out with their appearance.

1

A bug on the wall

2

A quick finger movement

3

A movie at the theater

4

A switch on the radio

A flick was casual slang for a movie, especially one watched at the local cinema or drive-in.

1

Going on a long ocean trip

2

Hiking in the mountains

3

Driving around for fun, often to be seen

4

Riding a bicycle to school

Cruisin meant slowly driving around town with friends, music playing, and hopes of being noticed.

1

A bohemian, artsy person linked to the Beat Generation

2

A school bus driver

3

A sports team captain

4

A strict police officer

Beatnik described members of the Beat Generation, artistic nonconformists who rejected mainstream culture and embraced creativity.

1

As frightening and dangerous

2

As top-notch and impressive

3

As silly but harmless

4

As confusing and mysterious

Calling something boss meant it was excellent, impressive, or highly admired, especially among cool teenagers.

1

To dance energetically on the floor

2

To destroy someone’s furniture

3

To clean the living room carpet

4

To trip over the rug and fall

Cut a rug meant to dance enthusiastically, often to rock and roll or swing tunes at parties.

1

A suitcase on rollers

2

A bicycle with fancy tires

3

A pair of roller skates

4

A car, especially one you proudly drove

Wheels was slang for a car, often highlighting the pride someone took in their personal vehicle.

1

It is too hot outside

2

No problem, it is easy

3

Wear thicker clothing

4

Do not do any exercise

Saying no sweat reassured someone that a task or favor was easy and not a big deal.

1

Gas

2

Dreamboat

3

Drip

4

Boss

Drip was a mild insult for someone considered dull, uninteresting, or socially awkward in social situations.

1

Beatnik

2

Fuzz

3

Threads

4

Greaser

Threads meant clothing, especially sharp outfits that looked stylish and caught positive attention from friends.

1

Playing card games quietly during the movie

2

Kissing and making out in the backseat of a car

3

Switching seats to get a better view of the screen

4

Sneaking snacks into the drive-in without paying

Backseat bingo was cheeky teen slang for kissing and making out in a car’s backseat at drive-ins.

1

Dull and boring

2

Hopelessly clumsy

3

Completely dishonest

4

Too loud and wild

Drip was a dismissive label for someone viewed as dull, uncool, or socially uninteresting.

1

Beat feet

2

Burn rubber

3

Knockout

4

Cool it

Cool it was a casual command telling someone to relax, calm down, or stop overreacting.

1

A group of athletes

2

The police

3

A barbershop

4

Bad radio static

The fuzz was a slang nickname for police officers, often used by rebellious teens.

1

Its bright red color only

2

Its perfect, like-new condition

3

Its loud, annoying engine

4

Its small size and shape

Calling a car cherry meant it was in perfect condition, clean, and impressively well-maintained.

1

Fuzz

2

Drip

3

Dreamboat

4

Square

Dreamboat described a handsome, charming man who might be the object of many crushes.

1

Very cheap and simple

2

Extremely good and impressive

3

Barely acceptable

4

Totally confusing

Out of this world expressed that something was unbelievably good, almost beyond normal experience in its excellence.

1

A fancy restaurant

2

A small movie theater

3

A quiet country town

4

A very crowded and busy place

Antsville humorously compared a crowded place to an anthill, emphasizing how many people were packed in together.

1

Boss

2

Cherry

3

Gas

4

On my back

Saying someone is on your back meant they were constantly bothering, nagging, or pressuring you.

1

A punch in the mouth with their fist

2

A chance to share their lunch at school

3

A playful tickle fight after class

4

A free hamburger from the local diner

A knuckle sandwich was a joking threat meaning a punch in the mouth, not something you would eat.

1

He was always late

2

He was excellent and admirable

3

He was very clumsy

4

He told terrible jokes

Real George meant someone or something was truly excellent, dependable, or impressive in a solid way.

1

Drip

2

Fuzz

3

Doll

4

Pad

Doll was an affectionate, sometimes flirtatious term used for an attractive or sweet girl.

1

They were practicing very quietly

2

They were playing really well and energetically

3

They were burning instruments accidentally

4

They were stopping mid-song often

Cookin described music that was lively, energetic, and performed with great skill and excitement.

1

Angry at friends

2

Very tired and worn out

3

Extremely hungry

4

Excited for a party

Pooped was a simple way of saying someone was exhausted and needed rest after activity.

1

Hosting quiet reading clubs

2

Training athletes for sports

3

Playing music for dancing and hanging out

4

Selling only textbooks

Juke joints or jukebox joints were hangouts featuring music, dancing, and casual socializing.

1

Cookin

2

Cruisin

3

Keen

4

Wigging out

To wig out meant to lose control emotionally, getting very upset, scared, or panicked.

1

It was very short

2

It was boring and unpleasant

3

It was about cars only

4

It was extremely easy

Calling something a drag meant it was dull, tedious, or unenjoyable.

1

A pop quiz

2

A nervous test-taker

3

A newspaper delivery boy

4

A cheerleader

Paper shaker was a fun term for cheerleaders, who waved and shook pom-poms at games.

1

A crowded downtown street

2

A smoky jazz basement

3

A noisy school cafeteria

4

A drive-in movie theater known for dating

Passion pit was slang for a drive-in theater where couples often went to kiss and cuddle during movies.

1

It is the coolest and best

2

It is too big and uncomfortable

3

It is borrowed and temporary

4

It is old and worn

The ginchiest or ginchest meant the very best or coolest, often about clothing or style.

1

Practicing for a race

2

Going on a long vacation

3

Searching for lost items

4

Looking for trouble or a fight

Cruisin for a bruisin warned that someone’s behavior might soon get them into serious trouble.

1

JD

2

DD

3

JJ

4

LD

JD stood for juvenile delinquent, used for teens who got in trouble and behaved rebelliously.

1

It had hardly any guests at all

2

It was absolutely fantastic, the best

3

It happened at the city limits

4

It was the absolute worst

Endsville generally meant the ultimate in greatness, the most wonderful or exciting thing in teen slang.

1

To show up where the action is

2

To clean the classroom

3

To draw a picture of a landscape

4

To leave early before everyone

Make the scene meant arrive at an important place or event, especially where cool people were.

1

Antsville

2

Beatnik

3

Fuzz

4

Classy chassis

Classy chassis complimented a woman’s figure and style, comparing her to a sleek, impressive car.

1

Let’s break the object

2

Let’s leave this place

3

Let’s study together

4

Let’s share the bill

Saying let’s split meant let’s go or leave, often used when leaving parties or boring situations.

1

A house full of clutter

2

Someone looking very sharp in stylish clothing

3

A car covered in dents

4

A party with no guests

Decked out described someone dressed in their best or most stylish clothing, looking very sharp.

1

Blame me for the problem

2

Put a jacket over my shoulders

3

Dance with me slowly

4

Tell me everything or give me the information

Lay it on me invited someone to share news, truth, or details without holding back.

1

Driving them home

2

Teasing or bothering them

3

Lending them money

4

Helping them with homework

Razzing someone meant teasing or bothering them, often in an annoying or playful way.

1

Talk more loudly

2

Skip school entirely

3

Leave town quickly

4

Relax and not worry

Hang loose encouraged a person to stay relaxed, calm, and carefree, not stressing over problems.

1

Antsville

2

A drag

3

The living end

4

Drip

The living end described something unbelievably great or impressive, beyond ordinary compliments.

1

Its reliable, high-quality sound

2

Its low price

3

Its heavy weight

4

Its plain artwork

Solid meant dependable and excellent, especially about music or plans that really worked well.

1

To be quietly studying

2

To be bored

3

To be depressed

4

To be extremely excited or thrilled

Being in orbit meant being euphorically excited, as if your mood had soared into space.

1

Burn rubber

2

I can dig it

3

Beat feet

4

Flip your lid

Saying I can dig it meant you understood, agreed with, or appreciated what someone was saying.

1

They are tired of working

2

They smell something burning

3

They want to leave immediately

4

Things are going great and smoothly

Cookin with gas meant everything was working efficiently and successfully, often after solving a problem.

1

Someone in the know about jazz and cool culture

2

A fan of history books

3

A person with injured hips

4

A strict school principal

Hipster described someone who understood jazz culture, trends, and nonconformist coolness.

1

Square

2

Pooped

3

Rockin

4

Fuzz

Rockin captured the lively spirit of energetic dancing, especially to rock and roll music.

1

A very popular male student

2

The tallest person in school

3

The strictest teacher

4

The principal’s assistant

BMOC was the popular, influential male student involved in sports, clubs, or leadership roles.

1

He studied for hours

2

He started eating bananas

3

He fell asleep standing up

4

He got wildly excited or angry

Going ape meant reacting in an over-the-top way, either with excitement or anger.

1

Annoying and rude

2

Neat, clever, or very good

3

Dangerous and scary

4

Complicated and confusing

Nifty described something pleasingly clever, stylish, or impressively good.

1

Kookie

2

Fuzz

3

Endsville

4

JD

Kookie meant eccentric, goofy, or silly in a mostly endearing and entertaining way.

1

A place to repair cars

2

A café that sold sodas and snacks

3

A laundromat

4

A movie theater

A soda shop was a hangout café where teens drank soda, ate snacks, and socialized.

1

A broken-down truck

2

A fake toy insect

3

A large snail in the garden

4

A Volkswagen Beetle spotted on the road

Slug bug was a car-spotting game where kids punched each other when seeing a Volkswagen Beetle.

1

Decked out

2

Rockin

3

Keen

4

Beat it

Beat it meant leave quickly, often to avoid trouble or unwanted company.

1

It is in another country

2

It is always freezing there

3

It is a quiet library

4

It is a really awesome, fun place

Coolsville humorously labeled a place as especially fun, relaxed, and full of cool people.

1

Fresh gossip

2

Gasoline

3

Money

4

Homework

Bread was emerging slang for money, reflecting how essential it was like daily bread.

1

Endsville

2

A drag

3

Drip

4

The ginchiest

The ginchiest meant the very best, beyond ordinary greatness, used to praise people or things.

1

It was extremely difficult

2

It was incredibly short

3

It was hilarious

4

It was ungraded

Calling a test murder meant it was brutally difficult and exhausting for the student.

1

Glasses or spectacles

2

Spies watching people

3

Alarm clocks

4

Television sets

Peepers in many 1950s slang lists referred specifically to eyeglasses rather than eyes themselves.

1

Drip

2

Ankle-biter

3

Beatnik

4

Fuzz

Ankle-biter was a humorous nickname for small children, suggesting they were low to the ground and underfoot.

1

Their father

2

Their neighbor

3

Their coach

4

Their teacher

Old man frequently referred to a boy’s father, especially when complaining about rules or punishments.

1

They were very heavy and slow

2

They were bad at dancing

3

They were extremely quiet and shy

4

They were dependable and trustworthy

Calling someone solid meant they were reliable, honest, and someone you could count on.

1

Drag

2

Gas

3

Toodles

4

Square

Toodles was a playful, informal way of saying goodbye among friends.

1

It confuses them

2

It makes them angry

3

It puts them to sleep

4

It thrills them emotionally

Saying a song sends me meant it moved or thrilled them, often romantically or emotionally.

1

Running very fast

2

Dancing energetically to swing or early rock

3

Talking too quickly

4

Being afraid of insects

Jitterbugged referred to lively, energetic dancing to swing or early rock and roll music.

1

Square

2

Drip

3

Greaser

4

Peepers

Greaser described rebellious youth who wore leather jackets, jeans, and heavily greased hair, often hanging around cars.

1

Confused and hesitant

2

Terrified and worried

3

Bored and uninterested

4

Excited and enthusiastic

Jazzed meant excited and enthusiastic, often about upcoming events like dances or parties.

1

Leave or get going right away

2

Stop eating bread completely

3

Hide quietly under the table

4

Skip lunch for the whole week

Cut out in many 1950s slang glossaries meant to leave or depart, especially when teens were ready to go.

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