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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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Slang words and phrases from the 40's and 50's
Guest
1
2010/07/29 - 5:37pm
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I'm going to write a blog post using words/phrases/euphemisms from the 40's and 50's, e.g., bupkis, on the up and up, wise guy, dame, et al. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

Guest
2
2010/07/29 - 10:04pm
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Being a child of the 60s, only a few expressions (picked up from my "elders") come to mind ...

"the cat's pajamas"
"cheese it ... it's the cops"
"nice gams"
"broad" (for a woman)
"tea" (for weed)
"hubba hubba"

Hope this helps. Could you link your blog when it's posted? Thanks.

Ron Draney
721 Posts
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3
2010/07/30 - 12:43am
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My mother (class of '55) said that one she never quite figured out was "zorch". She got as far as deciding it either meant you really liked something or really didn't like something, but context never made it clear.

It turned up in the song "Ape Call" by Nervous Norvus.

Now, if you're willing to include catchphrases from the '60s, just mine the rich lode that was "Get Smart" and "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In":

  • sorry about that, Chief
  • missed it by that much
  • and...loving it!
  • would you believe?
  • you bet your sweet bippy
  • say goodnight, Dick
  • sock it to me
  • is that another chicken joke?
  • the flying fickle finger of fate
  • by Henry Gibson
  • and Morgul as the friendly drelb

It's hard for young people today to imagine it, but we actually used to go around saying these things to one another.

Guest
4
2010/07/30 - 8:45am
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Thanks! Will provide the link when I'm done. In the meantime, the blog is houseoflove.chebellafiori.com

Cheers

Guest
5
2010/07/30 - 1:16pm
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Isn't "Say goodnight, Dick" just paraphrased from The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show's sign off, a decade or two earlier?

Burns: Say goodnight, Gracie.
Allen: Goodnight Gracie.

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