Do the slang words of today's generation confuse you? Instead of trying to learn all these weird words the youth are using, let's jump back in time to revisit some fun ones from the past. You definitely haven't heard of these ones in a while! Here are 30 old-school slang words that are sure to bring back some memories.
1. 23 Skidoo
Let's start off with a funny-sounding one! This American slang phrase originated in the early 20th century and was popular for suggesting you had to leave quickly or were being forced to leave.
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2. Hotsy-Totsy
During the 1920s, hotsy-totsy basically meant the bee's knees, aka meaning something was perfect or just right. That sure is a fun one to throw into your vocabulary.
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3. Bibble
To bibble means to drink often or to eat and/or drink noisily. It's a quirky term that fell out of favor in the past, but it's certainly got a unique flair to it that makes it fun.
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4. Gigglemug
Here's an adorable one: a gigglemug was used to describe someone who is always smiling and super cheerful. It's a charming term that immediately paints of picture of good humour and laughter.
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5. Ducky Shincracker
How would you react if someone suddenly called you a "Ducky Shincracker?" While your first reaction might be to react negatively, don't. It's actually an amusing term that was once used to describe someone who is a good dancer!
6. Twattle
Twattle essentially means to gossip or to talk idly about trivial matters. It's an entertaining word to say, perfectly capturing the act of engaging in light, playful conversations.
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7. Quockerwodger
A strange-sounding word that once referred to a wooden puppet, quockerwodger can also be used to describe someone who is being controlled by another, much like a puppet on strings. It used to be used in a political sense, but it's a term that has certainly lost its usage over time (when was the last time, if ever, that you heard this being used?).
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8. All That and a Bag of Chips
This hilarious and unique phrase from the 90s expressed that someone or something was beyond just being good or desirable; they were superior in every way imaginable.
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9. Groak
Here's a piece of slang you'll be happy you learned: to groak means to stare silently at someone while they are eating, in the hopes of being invited to join. Now you have a word to describe that feeling!
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10. Ballyhoo
Ballyhoo is a fun way to describe extravagant publicity or fuss. It's a good word that captures the sometimes "over-the-top" nature of promoting events or products. For instance, ever feel like the hype for an upcoming movie surpasses the movie itself?
Image by Luisella Planeta LOVE PEACE 💛💙 from Pixabay
11. Flibbertigibbet
A flibbertigibbet is a playful way to describe someone who is an excessively talkative person. It's a hilarious, almost endearing word that you now have in your pocket the next time you meet someone who fits the description.
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12. Mumpsimus
We all know a mumpsimus in our lives. It refers to someone who is incredibly stubborn and insists on sticking to their misconceptions even when proven wrong.
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13. Nincompoop
The word nincompoop is definitely one of the more familiar slang words that many have heard of before. It was once a favorite for describing a foolish or silly person!
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14. Lollygag
If you love to lollygag, it means you love to spend time aimlessly, dawdling, and being lazy. It's a word that instantly conjures up images of slow summer days of doing nothing at all - but loving it.
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15. Flapdoodle
If someone tells you to "Stop flapdoodling!", it means to stop talking nonsense! It's a hilarious word that feels both playful and dismissive.
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16. Pettifogger
Originally meaning a lawyer who handles trivial or unethical cases, pettifogger became a word that traveled beyond the legal world. It became a word to describe anyone who quibbled over minor, unimportant details.
17. Psyche
Used in the 80s and 90s, "psyche" was a playful way to indicate that one was joking or retracting a statement. It was often used at the end of a sentence, embodying a fun playfulness.
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18. Tubular
Although the term originally came from the surf culture of the 70s, it quickly gained mainstream popularity in the 80s meaning something entirely different. If someone says something is "Tubular!", it means it was awesome or amazing!
19. Ugsome
Ugsome is used to describe something horrifying or loathsome. With its guttural sound and strong imagery, it effectively conveys a sense of disgust and repulsion, making it a potent, if forgotten, piece of language.
20. Wamble
Wamble is a fun word to put in your back pocket - it refers to the sound of someone's stomach rumbling! It's a wonderfully onomatopoeic word that really captures that sensation.
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21. Claptrap
Coming from the idea that you're trying to "catch' applause, claptrap simply refers to pretentious, insincere language. In other words, it means cheap talk.
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22. Bogus
In the late 80s and early 90s, "bogus" was the go-to slang for something that was false, unfair, or simply bad. It was often used to describe situations or outcomes that didn't meet expectations.
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23. Phat
In the 90s, "phat" meant something that was excellent or cool, often used to describe music, clothes, or style. It's a strange word but has such positive connotations!
24. Hobbledehoy
If you're an awkward and clumsy young man, you might be described as a hobbledehoy. This fun word certainly captures the right amount of awkwardness.
25. Gnarly
Now here's another slang word you're probably familiar with. Originally surf slang, gnarly turned into mainstream slang that was used to express awe or approval for doing something extreme or impressive.
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26. Radical
Popular in the 80s and early 90s, "radical" was used to describe something extremely good or impressive, often in the context of extreme sports or to emphasize a strong approval.
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27. Groovy
Originating from the 70s, groovy was generally used to epitomize the era's music and cultural scene. Calling something groovy meant that it was fashionable or excellent.
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28. Quizzaciously
Now here's a mouthful; quizzaciously means to mock or play around in a teasing manner. It's a word that perfectly matches that act of playful teasing.
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29. Rigmarole
This one just flows right off the tongue! Rigmarole refers to a lengthy and complicated procedure. This term perfectly captures the frustration with unnecessarily complex tasks or stories, highlighting the universal annoyance at being bogged down by details.
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30. Chillax
Emerging in the late 90s, "chillax" was a blend of "chill" and "relax," used to tell someone to calm down or to describe a laid-back attitude. We can totally see this one coming back to popularity in the future.
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