Say what? -Retro Slang

Retro Phrases & Slang

23 Skiddoo- To get going, leave immediately

All Wet - Describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, "he's all wet."

Applesauce - an explative; same as horsefeathers, As in "Ah applesauce!"

Ankle biter- child

Are you writing a book?- You are asking too many questions

Baby-Cute Guy or Girl

Bad News- Depressing Person

The Bee's Knees-Excellent, Outstanding

Big Cheese - The most important or influential person; boss. Same as big shot.

Big Daddy- Older Man

Bluenose - An excessively puritanical person, a prude, Creator of "the Blue Nozzle Curse."

Broad- Woman, Dame

Bump Off - To murder, To kill.

Carry a Torch - To have a crush on someone.

Cat's Meow/Cats Pajamas - Something splendid or stylish; The best or greatest, wonderful.

Cheaters-Eyeglasses

Cut the gas- Be Quiet!

Daddy-o -- a man; used to address a hipster or beatnik

Darb - An excellent person or thing (as in "the Darb" - a person with money who can be relied on to pay the check).

Dame- A Woman

Drugstore Cowboy - a guy that hangs around on a street corner trying to pick up girls.

Dumb Dora - a stupid female.

Fall Guy - Victim of a frame.

Flat Tire - A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date. Same as pill, pickle, drag, rag, oilcan.

Frame - To give false evidence, to set up someone.

Gams - A woman's legs.

Giggle Water - An intoxicating beverage; alcohol.

Gin Mill - An establishment where hard liquor is sold; bar.

Girl Friday- Secretary /Administrative Assistant

Go whitsle up a rope- Leave me alone

Hard Boiled - a tough, strong guy.

Heebie-Jeebies - The jitters

Hepcat/Hipster -- an innovative and trendy person

High-Hat - To snub.

Hooch - Bootleg liquor

Hoofer - Dancer.

Horsefeathers - an explative; same usage as applesauce.

Hotsy-Totsy - Pleasing.

Jalopy - Old car.

Joint - A club, usually selling alcohol.

Juke joint -- a casual and inexpensive establishment with drinking, dancing, and blues music, typically in the southeastern United States

Keen - Attractive or appealing.

Keeping up with the Joneses -- competing to have a lifestyle or socioeconomic status comparable to one's neighbors

Kisser - Mouth.

Line - Insincere flattery.

Lounge Lizard - a horny dog.

Make the scene-Attend an event

Moll - A gangster's girl.

Ossified - a drunk person.

Pinch - To arrest.

Playboy- Player

Poindexter- A Really Smart Person

Pushover - A person easily convinced or seduced.

Ritzy - Elegant (from the hotel).

Scram - Ask someone to leave immediately.

Square- boring or nerdy person

Sheba - A woman with sex appeal ( Queen of Sheba)

Sheik - A man with sex appeal (from the Valentino movies)

Sitting in the hot seat -- in a highly uncomfortable or embarrassing situation

Smooch- Kiss

Soitently- Sure!

Speakeasy - An illicit bar selling bootleg liquor.

Spiffy - An elegant appearance.

Spread Out!- Get out of the way! Give me some room! Stop crowding me!

Stuck On - Having a crush on.

Sugar Daddy-usually older male who is dating a usually younger female and giving her a lot of gifts and money like a father might give to his daughter

Swanky - Ritzy.

Swell- Wonderful.

Upchuck - To vomit when one has drunk too much.

Wise guy- A Smart Alec

Whoopee - To have a good time.