CLASSIC SLANG

1920s
23 skiddoo -- to get going; move along; leave; or scram
The cat's pajamas -- the best; the height of excellence
Gams -- legs
The real McCoy -- sincere; genuine; the real thing
Hotsy-totsy -- perfect
The bee's knees -- excellent; outstanding

1930s
I'll be a monkey's uncle -- sign of disbelief; I don't
believe it!
Gig -- a job
Girl Friday -- a secretary or female assistant
Skivvies -- men's underwear

                        
1940s
Blockbuster -- a huge success
Keeping up with the Joneses -- competing to have a lifestyle
or socioeconomic status comparable to one's neighbors
Cool -- excellent; clever; sophisticated; fashionable; or
enjoyable
Sitting in the hot seat -- in a highly uncomfortable or
embarrassing situation

                         
1950s
Boo-boo -- a mistake; a wound
Hi-fi -- high fidelity; a record player or turntable
Hipster -- an innovative and trendy person


1960s
Daddy-o -- a man; used to address a hipster or beatnik
Groovy -- cool; hip; excellent
Hippie -- derived from hipster; a young adult who rebelled
against established institutions, criticized middle-class
values, opposed the Vietnam War, and promoted sexual freedom
The Man -- a person of authority; a group in power

1970s
Catch you on the flip side -- see you later
Dig it -- to like or understand something
Get down/Boogie -- dance
Mind-blowing -- unbelievable; originally an expression for
the effects of hallucinogenic drugs
Pump iron -- lift weights
Workaholic -- a person who works too much or is addicted to
his or her job


1980s
Bodacious -- beautiful
Chillin' -- relaxing
Dweeb -- a nerd; someone who is not cool
Fly -- cool; very hip
Gag me with a spoon -- disgusting
Gnarly -- exceptional; very cool
Preppy -- one who dresses in designer clothing and has a
neat, clean-cut appearance
Wicked -- excellent; great
Yuppie -- Young Urban Professional; a college-educated
person with a well-paying job who lives near a big city;
often associated with a materialistic and superficial
personality