1950s Slang: 15 Words And Phrases That We Should Bring Back | LittleThings.com

1950s Slang: 15 Delightful Words And Phrases We Should Bring Back

Published Jan 27, 2017
slang hp

Every era has its own unique charm that sets it apart. On top of evolving fashion, technology, and aspects of everyday life, even the words we use to communicate transform over time.

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Personally, I've always loved the quaint slang from the 1950s. There's just something about the words and phrases they came up with back in the day that sound just a little more fun to say.

In fact, I try to pepper in a few of the examples below on a daily basis! Sure, some folks might not understand a few of the more obscure ones that have fallen by the wayside, but it's nice when you see the look of recognition in someone's face when you talk about going back to your "pad" or showing off your new "threads."

Take a look for even more flashback slang from the 1950s, and be sure to let us know if we forgot any amazing words or phrases from the past that you loved.

And be sure to SHARE with your friends!

vintage laughing girls
vintage laughing girls
Flickr / simpleinsomnia

1. Big Tickle

Meaning: Something really hilarious.

Example: "I always get a big tickle from I Love Lucy!"

1950s prom dress
1950s prom dress
Wikimedia Commons / Father of JGKlein, used with permission

2. Chrome-Plated

Meaning: Someone who is really dressed up.

Example: "Cindy got chrome-plated for the prom."

running men
running men
Wikimedia Commons / Roger and Renate Roessing

3. Beat Feet

Meaning: To run away very fast, usually to get out of trouble.

Example: "We need to beat feet before the fuzz finds this graffiti."

1950s rockers
1950s rockers
Wikimedia Commons / Triton Rocker

4. Cruisin' For A Bruisin'

Meaning: Looking for trouble.

Example: "You're cruisin' for a bruisin' if you don't stop talking about my girl."

1950s bathing suits
1950s bathing suits
Flickr / State Library of Queensland

5. Classy Chassis

Meaning: Someone with a nice figure.

Example: "Barbara loves showing off her classy chassis at the beach."

1950s children
1950s children
Flickr / Doc Searls

6. Copacetic

Meaning: When everything's all right.

Example: "Don't worry, everything is copacetic."

elvis crowd
elvis crowd
Wikimedia Commons

7. Razz My Berries

Meaning: Something that excites or impresses you.

Example: "Have you heard the new Elvis album? It really razzes my berries!"

listening to records
listening to records
Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer

8. You Dig?

Meaning: Used by the Beat community to ask if someone understood something.

Example: "Don't get any scratches on my Duke Ellington album, you dig?"

9. Drip

Meaning: Someone who is very uncool.

Example: "Ugh, my little brother is such a drip."

ducks
ducks
Wikimedia Commons / Schmidt Rex Gary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

10. Word From The Bird

Meaning: Telling the truth.

Example: "Jenny's going to dance on American Bandstand tonight, and that's the word from the bird."

stop sign
stop sign
Wikimedia Commons / Infrogmation

11. Kibosh

Meaning: Put a stop to something.

Example: "I was going to cruise tonight, but my dad found out and put the kibosh on it."

drive in theater
drive in theater
Flickr / army.arch

12. Passion Pit

Meaning: A drive-in theater, referring to the amorous activities that frequently went on in the cars.

Example: "I don't think I saw even one second of the movie at the passion pit last night."

frank sinatra
frank sinatra
Wikimedia Commons / Metronome magazine

13. Ring-A-Ding-Ding

Meaning: Something super exciting, most frequently used as sarcasm. It became a catchphrase often used by Frank Sinatra.

Example: "The soda jerk gave me an extra cherry on my sundae!" "Well, ring-a-ding-ding."

grilling hot dogs
grilling hot dogs
Flickr / Andrew Kitzmiller

14. Tube Steak

Meaning: Another term for hot dogs.

Example: "I'm so hungry I could probably eat 20 tube steaks."

1950s dress
1950s dress
Flickr / Bess Georgette

15. The Living End

Meaning: Something amazing and extraordinary.

Example: "Betty, that new dress is the living end!"

Did we miss any of your favorite slang from the 1950s? Let us know in the comments, and please SHARE with family and friends!

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