Anglo-American culture has been growing richer as hundreds of idioms and expressions emerge and many quickly vanish. As generations come and go, new words, expressions and slang come into common usage and many of those that have been around for years eventually slip away. Popular slang expressions that were commonplace in the twentieth century are now obsolete, but worth remembering.
What is Slang?
Slang is a type of language that consists of words and phrases used informally in any given language. Its use in English often summons images of (quote-unquote) “cool kids” who seem to be saying crazy and strange things that often leave laypeople shaking their heads in confusion. But slang also transcends age groups, with very distinct versions used by seniors, young people, and everyone in between. Furthermore, slang words can be used to express the same emotions across gender and race lines.
Slang Expressions from the Twentieth Century
Below is a list of some of the classic slang expressions and idioms from the twentieth century, many of which are no longer in use today:
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Anchors Aweigh – a phrase used to express enthusiasm and excitement, usually right before you are about to embark on a journey or activity.
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AC-DC – this expression was used to describe something that could potentially go either way or someone who was uncertain or indecisive.
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Cat’s Meow – this phrase was used to describe something that was popular or prestigious.
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Mother Hubbards – slang expression used to describe someone who was wearing worn and tattered clothing, usually in a derogatory fashion.
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Egg on Your Face – this phrase was used to describe someone who had experienced some kind of humiliation or embarrassment.
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Flapdoodle – a term to denote foolishness, silliness and nonsense.
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Apple-Pie Order – a phrase to describe neatness and orderliness, usually referring to an area or space that was extremely organized.
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Cold Fish – used to describe someone who is cold, uninvolved and uncaring in regard to others.
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Groovy – a phrase used to express approval, satisfaction or even enthusiasm for something.
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Hinky – used to describe something that seemed suspicious or shady in nature.
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Balls Out – an expression used to denote something being done with a wild and reckless attitude, usually with some degree of recklessness.
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Rah-Rah – an expression used to show enthusiasm, usually in relation to a team or group.
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Draggy – used to describe something that was tiresome, dull or dragging on, usually in reference to time.
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Square – an expression used to describe someone who was particularly old-fashioned or behind the times.
Expansion of Slang Terminology
As technology has advanced, the use of traditional slang expressions has seen a massive decline. Sadly, as technology has taken hold and become commonplace, the use of slang expressions, idioms and many other unique aspects of traditional language appear to be slowly fading away. This has led to a steady stream of jargon, abbreviations, acronyms and text-speak emerging, making conversation and communication more complex yet less interesting.
An Interesting Twist
However, over the last few years, there has been an interesting twist in the application of many of these classic phrases from the past. Increasingly, many of these forgotten expressions and terms are making a comeback – rebuilt, reimagined and contextualized for today’s generation. The same terms are being used, but have been given fresh interpretations and made applicable by new generations. It’s a fascinating phenomena that has meant some of these out of date expressions have been able to stay alive in the modern vernacular.
As Anglo-American culture continues to expand, slang expressions come and go in the blink of an eye. Slang expressions and idioms used in the twentieth century that are no longer used are not only a reminder of days gone by, but a record of the ever-evolving evolution of our language. It’s a fascinating journey that has seen new generations express themselves in different ways and with different words, but with the exact same message.
