Sunday, April 10, 2011

Great Examples of Slang from Flapper Era

Read More on BOOK FLAPS BLOG (via boingboing)
Some of my favs below from July 1922 Flapper Magazine (Flapper Dictionary):

Alarm Clock—Chaperon.

Anchor—Box of flowers.

Apple Knocker—A hick; a hay-shaker.

Apple Sauce--Flattery; bunk.

Barlow—A girl, a flapper, a chicken.

Bank’s Closed—No petting allowed; no kisses.

Barneymugging—Lovemaking.

Biscuit—A pettable flapper.

Billboard—Flashy man or woman.

Blushing Violet—A publicity hound.

Boob Tickler—Girl who entertains father’s out-of-town customers.e.

Cancelled Stamp—A wallflower.

Cake Basket—A limousine.

Cellar Smeller—A young man who always turns up where liquor is to be had without cost.

Clothesline—One who tells neighborhood secrets.

Corn Shredder—young man who dances on a girl’s feet.

Dincher—A half-smoked cigarette.

Edisoned—Being asked a lot of questions.

Face Stretcher—Old maid who tried to look younger.

Frog’s Eyebrows—Nice, fine.

Handcuff—Engagement ring.

Houdini—To be on time for a date.

Meringue—Personality.

Munitions—Face powder and rouge.

Noodle Juice—Tea.

Nosebaggery—Restaurant.

Nut Cracker—Policeman’s nightstick.

Pillow Case—Young man who is full of feathers.

Police Dog—Young man to whom one is engaged.

Potato—A young man shy of brains

Smoke Eater—A girl cigarette user.

Stilts—Legs.

Trotzky—Old lady with a moustache and chin whiskers.

Umbrella—young man any girl can borrow for the evening.

Wind Sucker—Any person given to boasting.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I love this slang! So much fun to use for students when discussing this era!