How Much Slang Do You Remember From the 50s?

Question 1

What does the slang term cool cat mean in 1950s teen talk?

Question 1

In 1950s teen slang, what was a square?

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What did the nickname daddy-o mean among 1950s teens?

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When someone said dig it in the 1950s, what were they asking?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word chick usually refer to?

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If something was described as swell in the 1950s, how did people feel about it?

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What did it mean to be hip in 1950s youth culture?

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In 1950s lingo, what were threads?

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What was a dreamboat in 1950s popular slang?

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If a party was called a gas in the 1950s, what did that mean?

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What did the expression beat feet mean to 1950s teens?

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In 1950s teen talk, who was a greaser?

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What did the word pad mean in 1950s slang?

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When hot-rodders said burn rubber, what were they doing?

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What did the phrase made in the shade mean in 1950s slang?

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In 1950s slang, what was a sock hop?

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What did going steady mean for a 1950s teen couple?

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In 1950s dating slang, what did it mean when a girl got pinned?

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What did the phrase flip your lid mean in 1950s slang?

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In 1950s car culture, what was a hot rod?

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What did it mean if someone was described as real gone?

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When teens called something keen in the 1950s, what did they mean?

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In 1950s slang, what did knockout usually describe?

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What did the word flick mean to a 1950s teenager?

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In 1950s teen slang, what did cruisin mean?

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Who was a beatnik in 1950s culture?

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If something was called boss in 1950s teen slang, how was it viewed?

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What did the phrase cut a rug mean at a 1950s dance?

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In 1950s slang, what did teens mean by wheels?

Question 1

When someone said no sweat in the 1950s, what were they saying?

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Which 1950s slang term meant someone was dull or boring to be around?

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Which slang word would a 1950s teen use to praise someone’s stylish clothing?

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At a 1950s drive-in, teens talk about playing backseat bingo. What are they referring to?

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A 1950s teen says do not be such a drip. What are they calling you?

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Which slang phrase would a 1950s teen use to mean calm down or relax?

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In 1950s slang, who or what was the fuzz?

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When a teen called a car cherry in the 1950s, what were they complimenting?

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Which 1950s slang term described a very attractive man?

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If something was said to be out of this world in the 1950s, how good was it?

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What did the slang term Antsville describe in 1950s talk?

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A teen says that teacher is really on my case. Which similar 1950s slang could they use?

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If a 1950s teen threatened you with a knuckle sandwich, what were they offering?

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When someone was called real George in 1950s slang, what did that mean?

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Which slang term might a 1950s teen use to refer to a beautiful girl?

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In 1950s music slang, what did it mean when a band was cookin?

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When a teen said I am totally pooped in the 1950s, how were they feeling?

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In 1950s slang, what was a juke joint or jukebox joint known for?

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Which 1950s slang expression meant a teen was overreacting or getting extremely upset?

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A teen says that test was a drag. What do they mean?

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In 1950s teen slang, what did the term paper shaker refer to?

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What was a passion pit in 1950s slang?

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A teen brags my new jacket is the ginchest. What are they saying?

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In 1950s slang, what did the phrase cruisin for a bruisin mean?

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Which abbreviation did 1950s teens use for a juvenile delinquent?

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A teen complains that party was Endsville. What do they mean?

Question 1

In 1950s slang, what did it mean to make the scene?

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Which 1950s slang term complimented a woman’s figure and stylish look?

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When a teen said let’s split in the 1950s, what were they suggesting?

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In 1950s slang, what did decked out describe?

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What did the phrase lay it on me mean in 1950s teen talk?

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A teen says quit razzing me. What are they asking you to stop doing?

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In 1950s slang, what did hang loose encourage someone to do?

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Which expression meant something was truly excellent, better than simply good?

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A teen says that record is really solid. What are they praising?

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In 1950s slang, what did it mean to be in orbit emotionally?

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Which slang phrase would someone use to say I understand or agree with you?

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A teen brags we are cookin with gas now. What are they expressing?

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In 1950s slang, who was considered a hipster?

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Which slang word described very fun, energetic dancing in the 1950s?

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What did the acronym BMOC big man on campus mean in 1950s school slang?

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A teen says he went ape. What are they describing?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word nifty mean?

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Which slang term described someone or something slightly silly but still fun?

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When a teen said I am heading to the soda shop, where were they going?

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Among kids in the 1950s, what did slug bug refer to?

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Which phrase did 1950s teens use to mean leave this place quickly?

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A teen calls his favorite hangout Coolsville. What does he mean?

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In 1950s slang, what did the word bread begin to mean?

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Which superlative slang term meant something was absolutely fantastic, the very best?

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A teen complains that test was murder. How did they feel about it?

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In 1950s slang lists, what did the term peepers commonly mean?

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Which playful 1950s slang term referred to a small child?

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A teen says my old man is flipping his lid. Whom are they talking about?

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In 1950s slang, what did it mean to call someone solid?

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Which lighthearted expression did 1950s teens use as a casual goodbye?

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A teen says that new song really sends me. What are they expressing?

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In 1950s slang, what did jitterbugged refer to?

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Which slang term described a stylishly rebellious youth with slick hair and a leather jacket?

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A teen says I am really jazzed about the hop tonight. How do they feel?

Question 1

In 1950s slang lists, what did the command cut out usually mean?

1

Someone who loves pet cats more than people

2

A stylish, relaxed person admired for their confident attitude

3

A scared person who avoids fun

4

A person who is always cold

In 1950s slang, a cool cat was a stylish, relaxed person admired for confidence, taste, and composure.

1

A shy person afraid of crowds

2

Someone boring and old-fashioned who avoided new trends

3

Someone who loved dancing at parties

4

A very smart math student

Calling someone a square meant they were conventional, boring, and out of touch with new youth culture and trends.

1

A friendly, cool way to address a guy

2

A clumsy person who trips a lot

3

A strict teacher or principal

4

An actual father or parent

Daddy-O was a laid-back, jazzy nickname used to address a cool guy or friend casually and playfully.

1

Can you help me garden

2

Will you bury this for me

3

Do you understand or like it

4

Can you fix my car

Dig it was a hip way of asking if you understood, appreciated, or agreed with what was being said.

1

A young woman or girl

2

A small amount of money

3

A scared person

4

A schoolteacher

Chick was a casual, sometimes flirty term used by teens to refer to a young woman or girl.

1

They were bored by it

2

They found it confusing and weird

3

They thought it was scary

4

They thought it was great or wonderful

Swell was a popular compliment meaning great, wonderful, or excellent, used to show strong approval or enthusiasm.

1

To be extremely talkative and loud

2

To be physically injured or limping

3

To be cool, stylish, and in the know

4

To be very hungry and tired

Being hip meant you were fashionable, aware of trends, and tuned into the latest music and culture.

1

Clothes or outfits someone was wearing

2

Telephone wires and cables

3

Pieces of gossip spreading around

4

Homework papers from school

Threads was slang for clothing, especially sharp or stylish outfits that made someone look impressively dressed.

1

A person who tells boring stories

2

A sleepy, lazy person

3

Someone who loves sailing

4

A very attractive, desirable person

Dreamboat described someone extremely attractive or charming, often a crush-worthy movie star or local heartthrob.

1

It was dangerous and explosive

2

It was incredibly fun and exciting

3

It involved cooking all night

4

It was extremely boring

Calling something a gas meant it was wildly fun, exciting, and full of laughter and good times.

1

To leave quickly or run away

2

To polish your shoes

3

To stomp in anger

4

To dance very slowly

Beat feet meant to leave in a hurry, whether escaping trouble or simply rushing off somewhere.

1

Someone afraid to get dirty

2

A messy cook in a diner

3

A teen with slicked-back hair and a love of hot rods

4

A mechanic who fixed airplanes

Greaser referred to rebellious teens who styled their hair with grease and loved fast cars and leather jackets.

1

A notebook for school

2

Someone’s home or apartment

3

A shoulder cushion in clothing

4

A seat in a movie theater

Pad was casual slang for a person’s place to live, like an apartment, house, or hangout spot.

1

Cleaning old shoes

2

Speeding off fast in a car

3

Fixing a flat tire

4

Burning trash in the backyard

Burn rubber meant accelerating quickly in a car so the tires squealed and left rubber on the road.

1

A room was too dark

2

A person loved gardening

3

Life was easy and things were going very well

4

Someone avoided going outside

Being made in the shade meant you were in a great situation, with everything going smoothly and comfortably.

1

A fight where socks were weapons

2

A game played with laundry

3

A store that sold only socks

4

A school dance, usually in the gym

A sock hop was a school dance, often held in gymnasiums where students sometimes danced in their socks.

1

Arguing all the time

2

Sharing class notes in school

3

Being in an exclusive romantic relationship

4

Walking slowly around the block

Going steady meant a couple was officially exclusive, often marked by exchanging rings, pins, or special tokens.

1

She was grounded by her parents

2

Her boyfriend gave her his pin to show they were exclusive

3

She failed a test in school

4

She lost a bowling game

Getting pinned meant a boy gave a girl his pin, symbolizing they were officially going steady and committed.

1

To change your hairstyle

2

To forget your homework

3

To lose your temper or get very excited

4

To drop your hat on the floor

Flip your lid meant suddenly becoming very angry, shocked, or wildly excited about something surprising.

1

A crowded city bus

2

A fast, customized car built for speed

3

A broken-down old vehicle

4

A bicycle with big tires

A hot rod was a souped-up car, modified for speed and style, often raced or proudly shown off.

1

They were permanently missing

2

They never liked going out

3

They had moved to another country

4

They were extremely impressed or emotionally swept away

Real gone described someone totally carried away with excitement, music, or love, almost lost in the moment.

1

They thought it was excellent or terrific

2

They considered it dangerous

3

They found it confusing

4

They thought it was childish

Keen was a common compliment meaning excellent, terrific, or impressively good, particularly among enthusiastic teenagers.

1

A very strikingly attractive person

2

A boxing match winner

3

A difficult school exam

4

A person who faints easily

Knockout referred to someone extremely attractive, so good-looking they metaphorically knocked you out with their appearance.

1

A bug on the wall

2

A quick finger movement

3

A switch on the radio

4

A movie at the theater

A flick was casual slang for a movie, especially one watched at the local cinema or drive-in.

1

Riding a bicycle to school

2

Hiking in the mountains

3

Going on a long ocean trip

4

Driving around for fun, often to be seen

Cruisin meant slowly driving around town with friends, music playing, and hopes of being noticed.

1

A school bus driver

2

A strict police officer

3

A sports team captain

4

A bohemian, artsy person linked to the Beat Generation

Beatnik described members of the Beat Generation, artistic nonconformists who rejected mainstream culture and embraced creativity.

1

As frightening and dangerous

2

As top-notch and impressive

3

As confusing and mysterious

4

As silly but harmless

Calling something boss meant it was excellent, impressive, or highly admired, especially among cool teenagers.

1

To clean the living room carpet

2

To dance energetically on the floor

3

To trip over the rug and fall

4

To destroy someone’s furniture

Cut a rug meant to dance enthusiastically, often to rock and roll or swing tunes at parties.

1

A car, especially one you proudly drove

2

A suitcase on rollers

3

A bicycle with fancy tires

4

A pair of roller skates

Wheels was slang for a car, often highlighting the pride someone took in their personal vehicle.

1

Wear thicker clothing

2

Do not do any exercise

3

No problem, it is easy

4

It is too hot outside

Saying no sweat reassured someone that a task or favor was easy and not a big deal.

1

Boss

2

Dreamboat

3

Drip

4

Gas

Drip was a mild insult for someone considered dull, uninteresting, or socially awkward in social situations.

1

Beatnik

2

Fuzz

3

Greaser

4

Threads

Threads meant clothing, especially sharp outfits that looked stylish and caught positive attention from friends.

1

Switching seats to get a better view of the screen

2

Kissing and making out in the backseat of a car

3

Playing card games quietly during the movie

4

Sneaking snacks into the drive-in without paying

Backseat bingo was cheeky teen slang for kissing and making out in a car’s backseat at drive-ins.

1

Completely dishonest

2

Dull and boring

3

Too loud and wild

4

Hopelessly clumsy

Drip was a dismissive label for someone viewed as dull, uncool, or socially uninteresting.

1

Knockout

2

Burn rubber

3

Cool it

4

Beat feet

Cool it was a casual command telling someone to relax, calm down, or stop overreacting.

1

Bad radio static

2

A group of athletes

3

A barbershop

4

The police

The fuzz was a slang nickname for police officers, often used by rebellious teens.

1

Its small size and shape

2

Its perfect, like-new condition

3

Its loud, annoying engine

4

Its bright red color only

Calling a car cherry meant it was in perfect condition, clean, and impressively well-maintained.

1

Drip

2

Dreamboat

3

Fuzz

4

Square

Dreamboat described a handsome, charming man who might be the object of many crushes.

1

Barely acceptable

2

Extremely good and impressive

3

Very cheap and simple

4

Totally confusing

Out of this world expressed that something was unbelievably good, almost beyond normal experience in its excellence.

1

A quiet country town

2

A fancy restaurant

3

A small movie theater

4

A very crowded and busy place

Antsville humorously compared a crowded place to an anthill, emphasizing how many people were packed in together.

1

Cherry

2

On my back

3

Gas

4

Boss

Saying someone is on your back meant they were constantly bothering, nagging, or pressuring you.

1

A punch in the mouth with their fist

2

A chance to share their lunch at school

3

A free hamburger from the local diner

4

A playful tickle fight after class

A knuckle sandwich was a joking threat meaning a punch in the mouth, not something you would eat.

1

He was very clumsy

2

He was excellent and admirable

3

He was always late

4

He told terrible jokes

Real George meant someone or something was truly excellent, dependable, or impressive in a solid way.

1

Pad

2

Drip

3

Fuzz

4

Doll

Doll was an affectionate, sometimes flirtatious term used for an attractive or sweet girl.

1

They were burning instruments accidentally

2

They were playing really well and energetically

3

They were stopping mid-song often

4

They were practicing very quietly

Cookin described music that was lively, energetic, and performed with great skill and excitement.

1

Excited for a party

2

Angry at friends

3

Extremely hungry

4

Very tired and worn out

Pooped was a simple way of saying someone was exhausted and needed rest after activity.

1

Training athletes for sports

2

Selling only textbooks

3

Hosting quiet reading clubs

4

Playing music for dancing and hanging out

Juke joints or jukebox joints were hangouts featuring music, dancing, and casual socializing.

1

Keen

2

Wigging out

3

Cruisin

4

Cookin

To wig out meant to lose control emotionally, getting very upset, scared, or panicked.

1

It was very short

2

It was about cars only

3

It was boring and unpleasant

4

It was extremely easy

Calling something a drag meant it was dull, tedious, or unenjoyable.

1

A pop quiz

2

A cheerleader

3

A newspaper delivery boy

4

A nervous test-taker

Paper shaker was a fun term for cheerleaders, who waved and shook pom-poms at games.

1

A crowded downtown street

2

A smoky jazz basement

3

A drive-in movie theater known for dating

4

A noisy school cafeteria

Passion pit was slang for a drive-in theater where couples often went to kiss and cuddle during movies.

1

It is borrowed and temporary

2

It is the coolest and best

3

It is old and worn

4

It is too big and uncomfortable

The ginchiest or ginchest meant the very best or coolest, often about clothing or style.

1

Going on a long vacation

2

Looking for trouble or a fight

3

Searching for lost items

4

Practicing for a race

Cruisin for a bruisin warned that someone’s behavior might soon get them into serious trouble.

1

LD

2

DD

3

JD

4

JJ

JD stood for juvenile delinquent, used for teens who got in trouble and behaved rebelliously.

1

It had hardly any guests at all

2

It happened at the city limits

3

It was absolutely fantastic, the best

4

It was the absolute worst

Endsville generally meant the ultimate in greatness, the most wonderful or exciting thing in teen slang.

1

To clean the classroom

2

To leave early before everyone

3

To draw a picture of a landscape

4

To show up where the action is

Make the scene meant arrive at an important place or event, especially where cool people were.

1

Beatnik

2

Classy chassis

3

Fuzz

4

Antsville

Classy chassis complimented a woman’s figure and style, comparing her to a sleek, impressive car.

1

Let’s study together

2

Let’s leave this place

3

Let’s share the bill

4

Let’s break the object

Saying let’s split meant let’s go or leave, often used when leaving parties or boring situations.

1

A car covered in dents

2

Someone looking very sharp in stylish clothing

3

A party with no guests

4

A house full of clutter

Decked out described someone dressed in their best or most stylish clothing, looking very sharp.

1

Blame me for the problem

2

Put a jacket over my shoulders

3

Dance with me slowly

4

Tell me everything or give me the information

Lay it on me invited someone to share news, truth, or details without holding back.

1

Teasing or bothering them

2

Driving them home

3

Helping them with homework

4

Lending them money

Razzing someone meant teasing or bothering them, often in an annoying or playful way.

1

Skip school entirely

2

Talk more loudly

3

Relax and not worry

4

Leave town quickly

Hang loose encouraged a person to stay relaxed, calm, and carefree, not stressing over problems.

1

A drag

2

The living end

3

Drip

4

Antsville

The living end described something unbelievably great or impressive, beyond ordinary compliments.

1

Its reliable, high-quality sound

2

Its low price

3

Its heavy weight

4

Its plain artwork

Solid meant dependable and excellent, especially about music or plans that really worked well.

1

To be bored

2

To be depressed

3

To be extremely excited or thrilled

4

To be quietly studying

Being in orbit meant being euphorically excited, as if your mood had soared into space.

1

Burn rubber

2

Flip your lid

3

I can dig it

4

Beat feet

Saying I can dig it meant you understood, agreed with, or appreciated what someone was saying.

1

They smell something burning

2

Things are going great and smoothly

3

They are tired of working

4

They want to leave immediately

Cookin with gas meant everything was working efficiently and successfully, often after solving a problem.

1

A person with injured hips

2

Someone in the know about jazz and cool culture

3

A strict school principal

4

A fan of history books

Hipster described someone who understood jazz culture, trends, and nonconformist coolness.

1

Square

2

Pooped

3

Fuzz

4

Rockin

Rockin captured the lively spirit of energetic dancing, especially to rock and roll music.

1

A very popular male student

2

The principal’s assistant

3

The tallest person in school

4

The strictest teacher

BMOC was the popular, influential male student involved in sports, clubs, or leadership roles.

1

He fell asleep standing up

2

He got wildly excited or angry

3

He started eating bananas

4

He studied for hours

Going ape meant reacting in an over-the-top way, either with excitement or anger.

1

Complicated and confusing

2

Dangerous and scary

3

Neat, clever, or very good

4

Annoying and rude

Nifty described something pleasingly clever, stylish, or impressively good.

1

JD

2

Kookie

3

Endsville

4

Fuzz

Kookie meant eccentric, goofy, or silly in a mostly endearing and entertaining way.

1

A café that sold sodas and snacks

2

A laundromat

3

A movie theater

4

A place to repair cars

A soda shop was a hangout café where teens drank soda, ate snacks, and socialized.

1

A large snail in the garden

2

A fake toy insect

3

A broken-down truck

4

A Volkswagen Beetle spotted on the road

Slug bug was a car-spotting game where kids punched each other when seeing a Volkswagen Beetle.

1

Decked out

2

Rockin

3

Keen

4

Beat it

Beat it meant leave quickly, often to avoid trouble or unwanted company.

1

It is always freezing there

2

It is in another country

3

It is a really awesome, fun place

4

It is a quiet library

Coolsville humorously labeled a place as especially fun, relaxed, and full of cool people.

1

Homework

2

Gasoline

3

Money

4

Fresh gossip

Bread was emerging slang for money, reflecting how essential it was like daily bread.

1

Endsville

2

A drag

3

Drip

4

The ginchiest

The ginchiest meant the very best, beyond ordinary greatness, used to praise people or things.

1

It was hilarious

2

It was extremely difficult

3

It was incredibly short

4

It was ungraded

Calling a test murder meant it was brutally difficult and exhausting for the student.

1

Spies watching people

2

Glasses or spectacles

3

Television sets

4

Alarm clocks

Peepers in many 1950s slang lists referred specifically to eyeglasses rather than eyes themselves.

1

Beatnik

2

Ankle-biter

3

Fuzz

4

Drip

Ankle-biter was a humorous nickname for small children, suggesting they were low to the ground and underfoot.

1

Their teacher

2

Their neighbor

3

Their father

4

Their coach

Old man frequently referred to a boy’s father, especially when complaining about rules or punishments.

1

They were very heavy and slow

2

They were bad at dancing

3

They were extremely quiet and shy

4

They were dependable and trustworthy

Calling someone solid meant they were reliable, honest, and someone you could count on.

1

Toodles

2

Drag

3

Gas

4

Square

Toodles was a playful, informal way of saying goodbye among friends.

1

It thrills them emotionally

2

It makes them angry

3

It confuses them

4

It puts them to sleep

Saying a song sends me meant it moved or thrilled them, often romantically or emotionally.

1

Being afraid of insects

2

Running very fast

3

Talking too quickly

4

Dancing energetically to swing or early rock

Jitterbugged referred to lively, energetic dancing to swing or early rock and roll music.

1

Drip

2

Square

3

Peepers

4

Greaser

Greaser described rebellious youth who wore leather jackets, jeans, and heavily greased hair, often hanging around cars.

1

Excited and enthusiastic

2

Confused and hesitant

3

Terrified and worried

4

Bored and uninterested

Jazzed meant excited and enthusiastic, often about upcoming events like dances or parties.

1

Skip lunch for the whole week

2

Hide quietly under the table

3

Leave or get going right away

4

Stop eating bread completely

Cut out in many 1950s slang glossaries meant to leave or depart, especially when teens were ready to go.

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Ready to cruise back to the sock-hop era? Test how much 1950s slang you still remember, from cool cat compliments to classic teen talk. Answer these groovy questions and see if you’re still hip to the lingo—or totally out of time.

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