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Slang of the 20th Century: From Flappers to Rappers

Explore the ever-evolving world of slang from the 20th century, from the flapper era to the rise of rap culture. Understand how slang reflects each generation's values and identity.

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Slang of the 20th Century: From Flappers to Rappers

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  1. Slang of the 20th Century:From Flappers to Rappers(From Tom Dalzell’s Book) Alan D. DeSantis

  2. Some Opening Notes: • A) Slang changes quickly • 10% retention rate every 10 years (Eble, 1987) • B) But slang is reincarnated over and over again • The same terms are seen every generation • Often w/ different meanings (drag, fat, bimbo) • C) Used almost exclusively by the young • D) Every generation “slangs” what is important to them • Studying their slang is a way to understand a generation

  3. Some Opening Notes: • E) Why is slang used? • 1) It conceals meaning from parents • But do kids use slang in front of them? • 2) It identifies you as part of the tribe • 3) It defies authority (talking like a rebel) • 4) It makes one feel special & important • 5) It excludes other peer groups

  4. Let’s Test Your Knowledge of Slang • Use the open spaces in your workbook • Or number your paper from 1 through 21. • For each question, give me your best guess. • At the end of class, we will award the Championship to the “Hippest Cat!” • No Cheating!!

  5. I. From 1900-1919 • Before the end of WWI (1919) there was little use of slang • Why: Mass media was not a “national” phenomenon • Terms could not be shared or spread by the youth culture • College students used slang “locally” • At UK, we have: Ho, POT, the Keys • But there was one NATIONAL exception . . .

  6. I. From 1900-1919 • 1) 23 Skidoo • Three meanings: OK, Good, See You Later • This was the 1st National Slang Term(1905)

  7. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 1920s captured by F. Scott Fitzgerald • Times were good and decadent • The early 30s were depression years • Times were tough • The late 30s were swing and big-band jazz (the gangster rap of the age) • Strong slang influence from blacks culture

  8. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 2) Half-cut, fried, jammed, juiced, pie-eyed, polluted, plastered, shot, tanked • Drunk (most popular reference of the age) • 3) Bat, brawl, buzz, rag, toot, wrestle, egg harbor • A dance party • 4) 5 Things: Gob stick, dog house, gobble pipe, skins, git box • Instruments: clarinet, bass, sax, drums, guitar • If you got all 3, you are swanky or tasty

  9. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 1941-45 saw WWII • Much slang was based on male war interactions • After the war, America experience good times • “Happy Days Are Here Again” #1 Song • They seemed to name everything • Not many stayed around

  10. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 5) Drooly, pappy, swoony, BTO, PC, • An attractive man (big-time operator, prince charming) • 6) 5 Things: Moss, blinkers, flops, schnozz, pillars • Body Parts: Hair, eyes, ears, nose, legs • 7) Fatal pill, go-away kiss, lead pill, check out, blotto, in the drink • WWII Terms: Bullets and dying • If you got these 3, you are a real hep cat(most popular term)

  11. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 1950s were “Happy Days,” at least on the surface • But there were always Fonzies • Young were restless(rejection of parents) • Salinger’s Catcher, Brando’s Wild One, Dean’s Rebel, & Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock • The Beatnick movement also exploded • Wore black, drank coffee, & read poetry • Terms: Hipster, like, daddy-o, cat, & dig

  12. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 8) Bad news, beast, bomb, hack, kemp, wedge • Cars & Hot Rods (many terms) • 9) Cut the grass, don’t tense, fade out, get bent • Insults: Shut up, take it easy, disappear, I hate you • 10) Squaresville, deadsville, dullsville • A bad place to be • If you got all 3, you are cool (#1), creamy, fat, mad, hairy

  13. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope • Breaking away from the conservative 50s • Rock Peaked: • Motown, British Invasion, Acid Rock, Hippie Rock, folk, & Woodstock • It was the most politically active & individually expressive decade of the Century • Anti-Vietnam, Feminism, Civil Rights, Free Love, Free Speech, Black Power, etc.

  14. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope • 11) Barf, blow, beets, flash, heave, ralph, • To get sick • 12) Category: Hang ten, stoked, bitchin, dude, bro • Surf Terms • 13) Reefer, gage, mary jane, spliff, jay, doobie, roach • Marijuana • If you got all 3, you’re bad, boss, freak, suave

  15. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave • 70s and 80s share a lot in common • Politically inactive, pop-culture driven, no wars, no meaningful direction • Called the “Me Generation” • Really big with 1 or 2 word exclamations!! • Basic! (right) Be real!, Bite me!, Cool Beans!, Eat me!, Go for it! H0! (great), Heard that!, Not!

  16. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave • 14) Boff, boink, grind, do the nasty, deed, or wild thing • Sex • 15) To chill, hang, veg, jell, kick it, ease • To do nothing • 16) Category: Fer sure, Tscha, grody, totally, to the max • Valley girl: “Gag me with a spoon” • If you missed these, you are beat, gnarly, harsh, heinous

  17. VII. 1990-2000: Your Generation • Times have been good • Strong economy, no world wars, high college rates • Three Major Influences • Pop culture (TV & Movies) • Computers/Technology • Hip Hop

  18. VII. 1990-2000: Your Generation • 17) Biscuit, burner, heater, joint, steel, toast • Guns • 18) Category: Later, Peace Out, “How you doin’,” “Wha’s up” • Greetings • 19) Bones, Franklins, G’s, jacks, yard, clout • Money • 20) Break, bust, chat, comp, freestyle, kick, rip • Rap or sing • 21) Been there, done that; outta my way man; cowabunga; hurl; take a pill; babe-osity; Not!; schwing; party on! • Bart & Wayne (pop culture icons) • If you got all 5, you are “Phat,” “Tight,” or “the Bomb”

  19. Closing Thoughts • A) Many words are cyclical and reincarnated • 1930’s gave us: • Suck, sweet, mellow, not! • 1940’s gave us: • Brutal, cap, fly, scrub, tasty, groovy • 1950’s gave us: • Clue, hang, kill, nerd, trip, turn on • All have been reincarnated at least 3 times • Thus, each generation is not as innovative as they think

  20. Closing Thoughts • B. Every generation “slangs” the same 8 things • 1) girls/guys • 2) drinking • In 1737, Ben Franklin counted 228 terms for drunkenness (1st slang list) • 3) greetings • 4) sex • 5) popular people • 6) unpopular people • 7) money • 8) homosexuals • Are these the most important topics for the young? • Looks like you, your parents, & your grandparents were not that different after all

  21. Closing Thoughts • C. What causes “slang” to change? • Answer: When mainstream America starts using it! • Why Hip-Hop vocabulary changes so quickly • D. Slang is here to stay • And NO, you will not understand the next generation • Isn’t that the point of slang?!

  22. Later Dudes!

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