How Much Slang Do You Remember From the 50s?

Question 1

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

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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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?

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

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

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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?

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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?

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In 1950s slang, who was considered a hipster?

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

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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?

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

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

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

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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?

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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?

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In 1950s slang, what did jitterbugged refer to?

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

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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 stylish, relaxed person admired for their confident attitude

2

A person who is always cold

3

A scared person who avoids fun

4

Someone who loves pet cats more than people

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

1

A very smart math student

2

Someone who loved dancing at parties

3

Someone boring and old-fashioned who avoided new trends

4

A shy person afraid of crowds

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

1

A friendly, cool way to address a guy

2

An actual father or parent

3

A clumsy person who trips a lot

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

Will you bury this for me

3

Can you fix my car

4

Can you help me garden

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 young woman or girl

4

A small amount of money

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 found it confusing and weird

4

They thought it was great or wonderful

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

1

To be extremely talkative and loud

2

To be very hungry and tired

3

To be cool, stylish, and in the know

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

Pieces of gossip spreading around

3

Homework papers from school

4

Telephone wires and cables

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

1

Someone who loves sailing

2

A very attractive, desirable person

3

A sleepy, lazy person

4

A person who tells boring stories

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

1

It was extremely boring

2

It was incredibly fun and exciting

3

It involved cooking all night

4

It was dangerous and explosive

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

1

To leave quickly or run away

2

To stomp in anger

3

To polish your shoes

4

To dance very slowly

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

1

A messy cook in a diner

2

A mechanic who fixed airplanes

3

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

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 notebook for school

3

A shoulder cushion in clothing

4

A seat in a movie theater

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

1

Cleaning old shoes

2

Burning trash in the backyard

3

Speeding off fast in a car

4

Fixing a flat tire

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

1

Someone avoided going outside

2

A person loved gardening

3

Life was easy and things were going very well

4

A room was too dark

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 school dance, usually in the gym

3

A store that sold only socks

4

A fight where socks were weapons

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

1

Arguing all the time

2

Walking slowly around the block

3

Being in an exclusive romantic relationship

4

Sharing class notes in school

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

1

Her boyfriend gave her his pin to show they were exclusive

2

She failed a test in school

3

She was grounded by her parents

4

She lost a bowling game

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

1

To lose your temper or get very excited

2

To change your hairstyle

3

To forget your homework

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 crowded city bus

3

A broken-down old vehicle

4

A fast, customized car built for speed

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

1

They were extremely impressed or emotionally swept away

2

They never liked going out

3

They had moved to another country

4

They were permanently missing

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

1

They thought it was childish

2

They thought it was excellent or terrific

3

They considered it dangerous

4

They found it confusing

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

1

A person who faints easily

2

A very strikingly attractive person

3

A boxing match winner

4

A difficult school exam

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

1

A quick finger movement

2

A movie at the theater

3

A switch on the radio

4

A bug on the wall

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

1

Riding a bicycle to school

2

Going on a long ocean trip

3

Hiking in the mountains

4

Driving around for fun, often to be seen

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

1

A sports team captain

2

A strict police officer

3

A bohemian, artsy person linked to the Beat Generation

4

A school bus driver

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

1

As confusing and mysterious

2

As silly but harmless

3

As top-notch and impressive

4

As frightening and dangerous

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

1

To dance energetically on the floor

2

To trip over the rug and fall

3

To destroy someone’s furniture

4

To clean the living room carpet

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

1

A suitcase on rollers

2

A pair of roller skates

3

A bicycle with fancy tires

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

Wear thicker clothing

2

No problem, it is easy

3

It is too hot outside

4

Do not do any exercise

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

1

Drip

2

Boss

3

Dreamboat

4

Gas

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

1

Greaser

2

Beatnik

3

Fuzz

4

Threads

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

1

Switching seats to get a better view of the screen

2

Sneaking snacks into the drive-in without paying

3

Playing card games quietly during the movie

4

Kissing and making out in the backseat of a car

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

1

Hopelessly clumsy

2

Dull and boring

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

Cool it

4

Knockout

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

1

A barbershop

2

A group of athletes

3

Bad radio static

4

The police

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

1

Its loud, annoying engine

2

Its bright red color only

3

Its small size and shape

4

Its perfect, like-new condition

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

Barely acceptable

2

Totally confusing

3

Very cheap and simple

4

Extremely good and impressive

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

1

A quiet country town

2

A small movie theater

3

A very crowded and busy place

4

A fancy restaurant

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

1

On my back

2

Gas

3

Cherry

4

Boss

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

1

A free hamburger from the local diner

2

A punch in the mouth with their fist

3

A chance to share their lunch at school

4

A playful tickle fight after class

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

1

He was very clumsy

2

He was excellent and admirable

3

He told terrible jokes

4

He was always late

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 playing really well and energetically

2

They were stopping mid-song often

3

They were practicing very quietly

4

They were burning instruments accidentally

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

Excited for a party

4

Extremely hungry

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

1

Selling only textbooks

2

Training athletes for sports

3

Hosting quiet reading clubs

4

Playing music for dancing and hanging out

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

1

Keen

2

Cookin

3

Cruisin

4

Wigging out

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

1

It was boring and unpleasant

2

It was about cars only

3

It was very short

4

It was extremely easy

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

1

A cheerleader

2

A pop quiz

3

A newspaper delivery boy

4

A nervous test-taker

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

1

A drive-in movie theater known for dating

2

A noisy school cafeteria

3

A crowded downtown street

4

A smoky jazz basement

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

1

It is too big and uncomfortable

2

It is old and worn

3

It is the coolest and best

4

It is borrowed and temporary

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

1

Practicing for a race

2

Looking for trouble or a fight

3

Going on a long vacation

4

Searching for lost items

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

1

DD

2

JJ

3

JD

4

LD

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

1

It was absolutely fantastic, the best

2

It happened at the city limits

3

It was the absolute worst

4

It had hardly any guests at all

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

1

To clean the classroom

2

To leave early before everyone

3

To show up where the action is

4

To draw a picture of a landscape

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

1

Fuzz

2

Classy chassis

3

Beatnik

4

Antsville

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

1

Let’s leave this place

2

Let’s share the bill

3

Let’s break the object

4

Let’s study together

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

1

A car covered in dents

2

Someone looking very sharp in stylish clothing

3

A party with no guests

4

A house full of clutter

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

Tell me everything or give me the information

4

Dance with me slowly

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

1

Teasing or bothering them

2

Helping them with homework

3

Lending them money

4

Driving them home

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

1

Leave town quickly

2

Skip school entirely

3

Relax and not worry

4

Talk more loudly

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

1

A drag

2

The living end

3

Antsville

4

Drip

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

1

Its low price

2

Its heavy weight

3

Its plain artwork

4

Its reliable, high-quality sound

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

1

To be extremely excited or thrilled

2

To be bored

3

To be quietly studying

4

To be depressed

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

1

Flip your lid

2

Burn rubber

3

Beat feet

4

I can dig it

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

1

They smell something burning

2

Things are going great and smoothly

3

They are tired of working

4

They want to leave immediately

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

1

A strict school principal

2

Someone in the know about jazz and cool culture

3

A person with injured hips

4

A fan of history books

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

1

Square

2

Rockin

3

Fuzz

4

Pooped

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

1

The strictest teacher

2

The tallest person in school

3

A very popular male student

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 got wildly excited or angry

3

He started eating bananas

4

He fell asleep standing up

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

1

Neat, clever, or very good

2

Dangerous and scary

3

Annoying and rude

4

Complicated and confusing

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

1

Endsville

2

Kookie

3

Fuzz

4

JD

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

1

A place to repair cars

2

A laundromat

3

A movie theater

4

A café that sold sodas and snacks

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

1

A Volkswagen Beetle spotted on the road

2

A fake toy insect

3

A large snail in the garden

4

A broken-down truck

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

1

Keen

2

Decked out

3

Rockin

4

Beat it

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

1

It is a quiet library

2

It is in another country

3

It is always freezing there

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

Homework

4

Money

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

1

A drag

2

The ginchiest

3

Endsville

4

Drip

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

1

It was ungraded

2

It was extremely difficult

3

It was hilarious

4

It was incredibly short

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

1

Television sets

2

Spies watching people

3

Alarm clocks

4

Glasses or spectacles

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

1

Beatnik

2

Ankle-biter

3

Fuzz

4

Drip

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

1

Their coach

2

Their father

3

Their neighbor

4

Their teacher

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

1

They were dependable and trustworthy

2

They were bad at dancing

3

They were extremely quiet and shy

4

They were very heavy and slow

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

1

Toodles

2

Drag

3

Square

4

Gas

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

1

It confuses them

2

It makes them angry

3

It thrills them emotionally

4

It puts them to sleep

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

1

Being afraid of insects

2

Talking too quickly

3

Running very fast

4

Dancing energetically to swing or early rock

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

1

Peepers

2

Greaser

3

Drip

4

Square

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

1

Excited and enthusiastic

2

Bored and uninterested

3

Confused and hesitant

4

Terrified and worried

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

1

Leave or get going right away

2

Skip lunch for the whole week

3

Hide quietly under the table

4

Stop eating bread completely

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

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Ready to cruise back to the sock-hop era? Test how much 1950s slang you still remember, from cool cat compliments to classic teen talk. Answer these groovy questions and see if you’re still hip to the lingo—or totally out of time.

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