Again, though, in British slang, "how you doing" is a grammatically incomplete sentence, and thus again it simply becomes a two-pronged greeting. Not clever, of low intelligence. 3. Now mostly obsolete, it is largely relegated to the realm of literature. 3. The possibility of such weapons had been envisaged for some time, and indeed the term atomic bomb is first recorded in 1914, but their all too real existence opened the way for alternative formulations: A bomb (1945) for short, fission bomb (1941) for the technically minded, superbomb (1940) or simply the bomb (1945) for the apocalyptically minded. A Victorian word for "penis.". .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar.flattened, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-b.flattened { For eating out there were British Restaurants (government-subsidized, and serving basic fare; 1941), while at home there were (if you had the points (1939) that entitled you to rationed food) such delicacies as luncheon meat (1945), national milk, butter, etc. width: 370px; #cl-warea-id-2 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } Sittingfor hours with pen in hand, I wrote down as much 1940s slang as seemed appropriate for my stories. #ie6 #sidebar-container #sidebar-shell-1, #ie6 #sidebar-container #sidebar-shell-2 { left: auto; right: auto; } #ie6 #sidebar-shell-1 { During World War II, rationing goods was . From older naval slang for burial at sea, which was known as "the deep six," probably from the custom of burying people six feet underground. .format-aside .postdata .category{ float: left; } California cool talk here at your Forties site. #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-1c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-2c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-3c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-4c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-5c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-6c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-7c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } Jack Oakie is a laugh as well in comedies Towards the end of the war the bomber aircraft gave place to the V-1s (1944) (or buzz bombs (1944), or doodlebugs (1944), or flying bombs (1944)) and the V-2s (1944). #sidebar-shell-2 { width: 49%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; left: auto; right: auto; float: right; } In the U.S., biffy is a slang term for the toilet dating to the 1940s. ; Cheaters==glasses in general, not just sunglasses. a { color: #9E1E75; text-decoration: none; } not worth a toss : Phrs. .post div.date { I think Jim might have mentioned it being from the early 50s? Ill keep digging and ask a couple of dance historians I know. #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-1c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-2c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-3c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-4c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-5c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-6c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-7c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } It is often used to identify with one's peers and, although it may be common among young people, it is used by people of all ages and social groups. .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-shell-1 { box-sizing: border-box; width: 100%; left: auto; } #header-widgets .suf-widget-1c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-2c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-3c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-4c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-5c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-6c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-7c, #header-widgets .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } Quite a few of the slang terms that developed during the 40s were created to describe positive outcomes, as well as feelings or actions. left: auto; } Thanks for the insight! Absolutely worthless. #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-right { float: right; } .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #nav-top, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #top-bar-right-spanel { width: 1000px; max-width: 1000px; min-width: 1000px; } Rotgut. Pregnant bellies are . margin-left: -100%; It was also a time of picking up the pieces after World War II, while forging new ground in technology, science, government intelligence and popular culture. .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-left { float: left; } .post.format-aside span.author { float: left; padding-right: 10px; } )*, 1950s Paper Ornaments for Halloween, Christmas, Easter, Check outthe novel The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress, the novel The Girl in the Jitterbug Dress, http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=11864, https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=NwdDBYmlFrI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Q9oktzh-W8, Texas Jazz Singer Louise Tobin: Book Reviews with a Vintage Slant, How to Host a Becoming Duchess Goldblatt Book Club, Talking About Paid Author Services with Nicole Thorne, Swing On In Newsletter - So much coming up.. Are you ready? #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-1c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-2c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-3c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-4c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-5c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-6c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-7c, #ad-hoc-5 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } White lightning. .post.format-status span.author { float: left; padding-right: 10px; } Check out this killer diller list of 1940s slang. #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-1c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-2c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-3c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-4c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-5c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-6c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-7c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-1 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; left: auto; Soundtracks: "Girl In The Jitterbug Dress" novel. 'Brilliant.' said Mark Lawson on BBC2's The Late Review; 'This is a terrific piece of work - learned, entertaining, funny, stimulating' said Jonathan . 2020s Slang Terms. #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-1c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-2c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-3c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-4c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-5c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-6c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-7c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } 1940s Slang Quiz. .format-gallery .tags { float: right; text-align: right; } } Please add any slang I missed! Brown Sugar Meatloaf. ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? Booklist Top of the List Reference Source The heir and successor to Eric Partridge's brilliant magnum opus, The Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, this two-volume New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English is the definitive record of post WWII slang. } #sidebar-shell-2 { .sidebar-wrap-left #sidebar-shell-1 { float: left; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0;} This combination is a prime example of quirky foods from the 1940s. do as the Romans do) so you will have to forgive me for using late 1950s early 60s Nice kicks would be a compliment about your shoes. document.getElementById('vs-widget').innerHTML = widget; That slang has not disappeared completely. .format-chat .permalink { float: left; text-align: left; } .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-1c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-2c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-3c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-4c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-5c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-6c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-7c, .suf-mag-excerpts .suf-tile-8c { width: 100%; } } .sliderImage { height: 250px; } width: 168px; #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-1c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-2c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-3c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-4c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-5c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-6c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-7c, #ad-hoc-3 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } .description { color: #000000; } I did order the play Zoot Suit to gain some insights. .format-quote .title-container { padding-left: 0; } Green, Jonathon (1999). .suf-mag-category-image { div.bookentry .stats { width: 142px; } } .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #wrapper { width: 1000px; max-width: 1000px; min-width: 1000px; } #cl-warea-id-4 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; Oh one more thing, you too can order breakfast like Kookie so no one will mistake } .format-aside h1.posttitle, .format-aside h2.posttitle, .post.format-aside .date { display: none; } .sidebar-container-right { margin-right: -222px; } http://www.madmusic.com/song_details.aspx?SongID=11864. } Thanks for stopping by. #sidebar, .page-template-no-sidebars-php #sidebar, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #sidebar, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #sidebar, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar, #sidebar-b, .page-template-no-sidebars-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar-b, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-b { width: 100%; } .format-audio .postdata .category{ float: left; } left: auto; max-width: 481px; greatest of all time. nous . Bender: derogatory term for homosexual, like "poof." (Note: You probably shouldn't use it or you'll get slapped, but it's worthy of note for giving Futurama a very different meaning.) } Thanks! left: auto; } } 2. #container, .page-template-no-sidebars-php #container, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #container, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #container, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #container, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #container, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #container { padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; } #header { min-height: 169px; } #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-no-sidebars-php #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #wsidebar-bottom, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #wsidebar-bottom { width: 100%; } Image Credits. h2.suf-mag-headlines-title { text-align: center; } width: 205px; 4. It was a decade of war and peace: the first half monopolized by worldwide conflict, the second tentatively reaching out towards ways of avoiding a repetition of the first. .gallery-container { padding-right: 266px }.gallery-contents { width: 250px }.gallery-contents.left { left: -266px }.gallery-contents.right { margin-right: -266px } .format-audio .tags { float: right; text-align: right; } #nav ul li a:visited, #nav.continuous ul li a:visited, Oxford English Dictionary; Oxford University Press 1989; SHOP transitive verb: To shut up (a person), to imprison. ; max-width: 355px; .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-left, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-right { width: 100%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; left: auto; right: auto; } [12] Sometimes a Spoonerism, is employed to make taboo speech more acceptable. Some of those interesting words coined in the 1940s are still used today, although maybe with another meaning. #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-1c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-2c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-3c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-4c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-5c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-6c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-7c, #horizontal-outer-widgets-2 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } right: auto; At any rate, keep up the good work, your list is very entertaining. .search-results .title-container { padding-left: 0; padding-right: 0; } An A-Z of slang from a British perspective. Moin is the shortening of the phrase, "Guten Morgen" or good morning in parts of northern Germany. #cl-warea-id-5 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-5 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-5.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-5.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } left: auto; "Gas Light," and spawned a 1940 film by Thorold Dickinson and a 1944 film by George Cukor. It must have carried over to the 50s! min-width: 0; -webkit-box-sizing: border-box; left: auto; width: 207px; [13], Slang is also used to create an identity or sense of belonging and a number of occupations have their own slang; most notably the armed forces, referred to as Forces or Service slang; and the construction industry. #nav ul li a:hover, #nav.continuous ul li a:hover, #ie6 .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-2, #ie6 .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-2-b, #ie6 .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-shell-2 { #ie6 .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar, #ie6 .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-b, #ie6 .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-shell-1 { British slang is English-language slang originating from and used in the United Kingdom and also used to a limited extent in Anglophone countries such as Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, especially by British expatriates.It is also used in the United States to a limited extent. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. } It's thought to be a shortening of other popular pet names, like babe or baby, and likely originated in Black English. width: 265px; Forget it; keep it a secret. [CDATA[ margin-left: 15px; Mouth. .page-template-2r-sidebars-php .sidebar-container-left { right: 370px; } My mom used to say that, too. The history of American slang is fascinating. #ie6 #sidebar-container { .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #main-col { width: 725px; } .format-audio .permalink { float: left; text-align: left; } .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar.flattened, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-b.flattened { Sometimes known as "a dollar" - from the 1940s when the exchange rate was four USD to the GBP. Slang is informal language sometimes peculiar to a particular social class or group and its . .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar-shell-1 { #ie6 .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #main-col { width: 695px } I havent heard it, but it makes total sense. .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-1c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-2c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-3c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-4c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-5c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-6c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-7c, .suf-mag-categories .suf-tile-8c { width: 100%; } } Another way to describe being pissed, drunk, trashed, and so on. And as if this were not enough, there was now talk of a hydrogen bomb (1947), exploded by nuclear fusion (1947) and perhaps delivered by a guided missile (1945). a tight sponge; a tight knot. : To cause to be imprisoned, to 'get (a person) into trouble', Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 23:17, Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, A drama concerning the life of three homosexual men in Manchester England, "Something lacking in the trouser department? #ie6 div.bookentry .review { width: 548px; } #cl-warea-id-4 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-4.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } } width: 212px; [1] The nations of the United Kingdom, which are England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, all have their own slang words, as does London. #cl-warea-id-3 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } -moz-box-sizing: border-box; margin-right: 15px; By default, your stylesheet will be loaded after the theme stylesheets, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php .postdata .category { This 1940s slang term has a surprising history. } I learned it all from Kookie of 77 Sunset Strip fame, he was the skizziest. } Gold; demonetized within one year. left: auto; 4. The 1940s: A World At War. width: 353px; color:#FFFFFF;font-family:'Droid Sans', sans-serif;font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-size:50%; [16][17][18] Examples of this include the old naval terms, "Talking bilge" (nonsense) and "A loose cannon" (an unorthodox person with the potential to cause harm).[19]. .suf-mag-excerpt-image { .page-template-2r-sidebars-php .sidebar-wrap-left { } Posted by C. Dianne Zweig Editor's Desk on September 8, 2011 at 11:47pm in 1940's Radio Hour: Forties Collectibles: Swing-Salute-Save; Back to 1940's Radio Hour: Forties Collectibles: Swing-Salute-Save Discussions Thanks. Another popular slang about an attractive person in the 1940s is ' Hubba-Hubba ' applying to males or females. Together in their different ways they left their mark on the vocabulary of English. That is one crazy song. Containing over 60,000 entries, this new edition of the authoritative work on slang details the slang and . Thanks for the heads up. The 1940s slang came out of a unique time when the United States was rebounding from the Great Depression and becoming embroiled in World War II, a situation that would actually help set up the economic growth the country enjoyed at the end of the decade. I like Tickety -boo and Cream Krackered. } At one point he was the biggest star in the world, going by fan mail and magazine covers Barmy: crazy, insane; always derogatory. .post .date span.day { #ie6 .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-shell-2 { Hobby Bobby - Another slang term for Community policeman. rules. The trouble was that ideologically, the Western powers and the Soviet Union were chasmically divided: the Cold War (1945), which was to last for four decades, was under way. #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-1c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-2c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-3c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-4c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-5c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-6c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-7c, #ad-hoc-4 .suf-widget-8c { width: 100%; margin: 5px 0; } Not sure when it hails from? border-right: 1px solid #000000; My dad (b.1920) always said its the shank of the evening to mean its early yet, dont leave. Usually he said it to people whod been around for some considerable time, so it may have been ironic. #cl-warea-id-2 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-2.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } On the one hand, you're simply greeting the person and they will recognize that. } Its kind of poetic. .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar-shell-1, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-shell-2 { width: 49%; margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; left: auto; right: auto; float: right; } the down feathers from a blanket flying in the air is flug. left: auto; Here's a list of some of the . ; .tinynav { display: block; } To avoid imprisonment, gay men used Polari, a language that the Oxford English Dictionary says is "made up of Italianate phrases, rhyming slang and cant terms." It had sprung up in the 1700s . Photo . } -ms-box-sizing: border-box; right: 222px; .tab-box, .page-template-no-sidebars-php .tab-box, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php .tab-box, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php .tab-box, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php .tab-box, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php .tab-box, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php .tab-box { width: 100%; } Adjective [ edit] tight ( comparative tighter, superlative tightest ) Firmly held together; compact; not loose or open . I think I need to use it in my writing. } In the movie Were not Married Ginger Rogers asks Fred Allen Did you put some flug in this coffee? I am assuming she meant some distasteful foreign substance. .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #sidebar-wrap, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #sidebar-wrap { margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto; width: 100%; left: auto; right: auto; } He is loaded. margin-right: -222px; } #main-col, .page-template-no-sidebars-php #main-col, .page-template-1l-sidebar-php #main-col, .page-template-1r-sidebar-php #main-col, .page-template-2l-sidebars-php #main-col, .page-template-2r-sidebars-php #main-col, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #main-col { .page-template-2r-sidebars-php .tab-box { #cl-warea-id-3 .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3 .cl-warea-row .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3.cl-warea-all .cl-widget, #cl-warea-id-3.cl-warea-original .cl-widget { width: 100%; } #nav ul { text-transform: capitalize; } Popular Quizzes Today. right: 275px; #nav, #nav.continuous { .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-left #sidebar-shell-1, .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-right #sidebar-shell-1, #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-left #sidebar-shell-2, #sidebar-container.sidebar-container-right #sidebar-shell-2 {width: 100%;} } You can change your cookie settings at any time. #ie6 .page-template-1l1r-sidebar-php #sidebar-container {