1. Slang of the 20th Century: From Flappers to Rappers (From Tom Dalzell’s Book)
Alan D. DeSantis

2. Some Opening Notes: A) Slang changes quickly
10% retention rate every 10 years (Eble, 1987)
B) But slang is reincarnated over and over again
The same terms are seen every generation
Often w/ different meanings (drag, fat, bimbo)
C) Used almost exclusively by the young
D) Every generation “slangs” what is important to them
Studying their slang is a way to understand a generation

3. Some Opening Notes: E) Why is slang used?
1) It conceals meaning from parents
But do kids use slang in front of them?
2) It identifies you as part of the tribe
3) It defies authority (talking like a rebel)
4) It makes one feel special & important
5) It excludes other peer groups

4. Let’s Test Your Knowledge of Slang
Use the open spaces in your workbook
Or number your paper from 1 through 21.
For each question, give me your best guess.
At the end of class, we will award the Championship to the “Hippest Cat!”
No Cheating!!

5. I. From
Before the end of WWI (1919) there was little use of slang
Why: Mass media was not a “national” phenomenon
Terms could not be shared or spread by the youth culture
College students used slang “locally”
At UK, we have: Ho, POT, the Keys
But there was one NATIONAL exception . . .

6. I. From 1900-1919 1) 23 Skidoo Three meanings: OK, Good, See You Later
This was the 1st National Slang Term (1905)

7. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz
1920s captured by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Times were good and decadent
The early 30s were depression years
Times were tough
The late 30s were swing and big-band jazz (the gangster rap of the age)
Strong slang influence from blacks culture

8. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz
2) Half-cut, fried, jammed, juiced, pie-eyed, polluted, plastered, shot, tanked
Drunk (most popular reference of the age)
3) Bat, brawl, buzz, rag, toot, wrestle, egg harbor
A dance party
4) 5 Things: Gob stick, dog house, gobble pipe, skins, git box
Instruments: clarinet, bass, sax, drums, guitar
If you got all 3, you are swanky or tasty

9. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies
saw WWII
Much slang was based on male war interactions
After the war, America experience good times
“Happy Days Are Here Again” #1 Song
They seemed to name everything
Not many stayed around

10. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies
5) Drooly, pappy, swoony, BTO, PC,
An attractive man (big-time operator, prince charming)
6) 5 Things: Moss, blinkers, flops, schnozz, pillars
Body Parts: Hair, eyes, ears, nose, legs
7) Fatal pill, go-away kiss, lead pill, check out, blotto, in the drink
WWII Terms: Bullets and dying
If you got these 3, you are a real hep cat (most popular term)

11. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat
1950s were “Happy Days,” at least on the surface
But there were always Fonzies
Young were restless (rejection of parents)
Salinger’s Catcher, Brando’s Wild One, Dean’s Rebel, & Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock
The Beatnick movement also exploded
Wore black, drank coffee, & read poetry
Terms: Hipster, like, daddy-o, cat, & dig

12. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat
8) Bad news, beast, bomb, hack, kemp, wedge
Cars & Hot Rods (many terms)
9) Cut the grass, don’t tense, fade out, get bent
Insults: Shut up, take it easy, disappear, I hate you
10) Squaresville, deadsville, dullsville
A bad place to be
If you got all 3, you are cool (#1), creamy, fat, mad, hairy

13. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope Breaking away from the conservative 50s
Rock Peaked:
Motown, British Invasion, Acid Rock, Hippie Rock, folk, & Woodstock
It was the most politically active & individually expressive decade of the Century
Anti-Vietnam, Feminism, Civil Rights, Free Love, Free Speech, Black Power, etc.

14. V. 1960’s: From Surf to Dope
11) Barf, blow, beets, flash, heave, ralph,
To get sick
12) Category: Hang ten, stoked, bitchin, dude, bro
Surf Terms
13) Reefer, gage, mary jane, spliff, jay, doobie, roach
Marijuana
If you got all 3, you’re bad, boss, freak, suave

15. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave
70s and 80s share a lot in common
Politically inactive, pop-culture driven, no wars, no meaningful direction
Called the “Me Generation”
Really big with 1 or 2 word exclamations!!
Basic! (right) Be real!, Bite me!, Cool Beans!, Eat me!, Go for it! H0! (great), Heard that!, Not!

16. VI. 1970-80s: From Disco to New Wave
14) Boff, boink, grind, do the nasty, deed, or wild thing
Sex
15) To chill, hang, veg, jell, kick it, ease
To do nothing
16) Category: Fer sure, Tscha, grody, totally, to the max
Valley girl: “Gag me with a spoon”
If you missed these, you are beat, gnarly, harsh, heinous

17. VII. 1990-2000: Your Generation Times have been good
Strong economy, no world wars, high college rates
Three Major Influences
Pop culture (TV & Movies)
Computers/Technology
Hip Hop

18. VII : Your Generation
17) Biscuit, burner, heater, joint, steel, toast
Guns
18) Category: Later, Peace Out, “How you doin’,” “Wha’s up”
Greetings
19) Bones, Franklins, G’s, jacks, yard, clout
Money
20) Break, bust, chat, comp, freestyle, kick, rip
Rap or sing
21) Been there, done that; outta my way man; cowabunga; hurl; take a pill; babe-osity; Not!; schwing; party on!
Bart & Wayne (pop culture icons)
If you got all 5, you are “Phat,” “Tight,” or “the Bomb”

19. Closing Thoughts A) Many words are cyclical and reincarnated
1930’s gave us:
Suck, sweet, mellow, not!
1940’s gave us:
Brutal, cap, fly, scrub, tasty, groovy
1950’s gave us:
Clue, hang, kill, nerd, trip, turn on
All have been reincarnated at least 3 times
Thus, each generation is not as innovative as they think

20. Closing Thoughts B. Every generation “slangs” the same 8 things
1) girls/guys
2) drinking
In 1737, Ben Franklin counted 228 terms for drunkenness (1st slang list)
3) greetings
4) sex
5) popular people
6) unpopular people
7) money
8) homosexuals
Are these the most important topics for the young?
Looks like you, your parents, & your grandparents were not that different after all

21. Closing Thoughts C. What causes “slang” to change?
Answer: When mainstream America starts using it!
Why Hip-Hop vocabulary changes so quickly
D. Slang is here to stay
And NO, you will not understand the next generation
Isn’t that the point of slang?!

22. Later Dudes!