Baby Boomers Slang
Baby Boomers slang can be difficult to understand, particularly if you do not yourself belong to this generation. Below we have gathered a list of some of the most popular Baby Boomers slang, along with translations and example sentences, so that you can enter your next Baby Boomers conversation with confidence.1. Boob tube
Translation: Television
Origin: 1960s slang for TV, implying it makes viewers mindless.
Example: Spent the whole night in front of the boob tube.
2. Boss
Translation: Excellent or cool
Origin: 1960s slang for something impressive.
Example: That new Mustang is boss!
3. Bread
Translation: Money
Origin: 1960s slang for cash.
Example: I need to make some bread to pay for the concert tickets.
4. Bummer
Translation: Disappointment
Origin: Likely originated as 1960s American slang, derived from the term "bum," which refers to something unpleasant or unwanted.
Example: I missed the bus—what a bummer!
5. Buzz off
Translation: Go away
Origin: 1960s slang for telling someone to leave.
Example: Buzz off, I'm trying to concentrate.
6. Can You Dig It?
Translation: Do you understand?
Origin: 1960s-1970s phrase asking for comprehension or agreement.
Example: We're going to change the world, can you dig it?
7. Catch some Zs
Translation: Sleep
Origin: Popularized in the 1960s, referring to getting some sleep.
Example: I'm beat, time to catch some Zs.
8. Cool cat
Translation: A hip or stylish person
Origin: Jazz culture in the 1950s, carried into the 1960s.
Example: He's a real cool cat, always knows the latest trends.
9. Crash
Translation: To sleep or stay somewhere
Origin: 1960s slang for sleeping.
Example: I need to crash, I'm beat.
10. Dig it
Translation: Understand or appreciate
Origin: 1960s slang, often used in the counterculture movement.
Example: I really dig that new song, it's got a great beat.
11. Dish it out
Translation: Give advice or criticism
Origin: 1960s phrase used to describe giving out advice or criticism.
Example: He can dish it out, but he can't take it.
12. Drag
Translation: Boring or disappointing
Origin: 1960s slang for something dull or uninteresting.
Example: This lecture is such a drag, I can't stay awake.
13. Far out
Translation: Amazing or excellent
Origin: Used in the 1960s to express wonder or excitement.
Example: Far out! That new album is out of sight!
14. Fink
Translation: Snitch or untrustworthy person
Origin: 1960s slang for someone who betrays others.
Example: That guy's a real fink, you can't trust him.
15. Foxy
Translation: Attractive or stylish
Origin: 1960s-1970s slang for someone good-looking.
Example: That foxy lady just walked in.
16. Funky
Translation: Cool or unconventional
Origin: 1960s-1970s slang for something unique or soulful.
Example: That's some funky music!
17. Grody
Translation: Disgusting
Origin: 1970s slang for something gross or unpleasant.
Example: That leftover pizza is grody, throw it out.
18. Groovy
Translation: Cool or excellent
Origin: Popular in the 1960s, especially among the hippie subculture.
Example: That concert was totally groovy, man! I'm digging the vibes.
19. Hacked off
Translation: Angry or upset
Origin: 1960s slang for being irritated or annoyed.
Example: I'm really hacked off about that traffic jam.
20. Hang Loose
Translation: Relax or take it easy
Origin: 1960s surf culture slang.
Example: Just hang loose, everything will work out.
21. Hassle
Translation: Problem or difficulty
Origin: 1960s slang for trouble or annoyance.
Example: Don't hassle me, I'm trying to concentrate.
22. Heavy
Translation: Serious or profound
Origin: 1960s slang for something intense or meaningful.
Example: That conversation got pretty heavy, man.
23. Hip
Translation: In the know or cool
Origin: 1960s slang for being aware or fashionable.
Example: He's hip to what's happening in the music scene.
24. Lay it on me
Translation: Tell me
Origin: 1960s phrase used to ask someone to share information.
Example: Lay it on me, what's the latest gossip?
25. Loaded
Translation: Intoxicated
Origin: 1960s slang for being drunk or high.
Example: He was totally loaded at the concert last night.
26. Mellow
Translation: Calm
Origin: The word "mellow" traces back to the 14th century, but found a more prominent place in the American vernacular in the 1960s, often used to describe relaxed or laid-back attitudes, particularly in the context of counterculture movements and music.
Example: After grooving to some far-out tunes, the mellow vibe really put everyone in a good headspace—no need for any squares to harsh the buzz.
27. Out of Sight
Translation: Excellent or amazing
Origin: 1960s slang for something fantastic.
Example: That concert was out of sight!
28. Outta Sight
Translation: Fantastic or amazing
Origin: 1960s slang for something wonderful.
Example: Your new pad is outta sight!
29. Peace out
Translation: Goodbye
Origin: 1960s and 1970s slang for saying farewell.
Example: Gotta go, peace out!
30. POV
Translation: Point of view
Origin: Acronym that became popular in the 1960s-1970s.
Example: From my POV, that was the right decision.
31. Psychedelic
Translation: Mind-altering or colorful
Origin: 1960s term related to drug culture and art.
Example: Those psychedelic posters are so groovy.
32. Rap
Translation: To talk or chat
Origin: 1960s slang for having a conversation.
Example: Let's rap about what we're going to do this weekend.
33. Right on
Translation: I agree
Origin: Became popular in the 1960s and 1970s as a way to show agreement.
Example: Right on! That idea is just what we need.
34. Sheesh
Translation: Expression of frustration or amazement
Origin: 1960s exclamation.
Example: Sheesh, that was close!
35. Sock It to Me
Translation: Give it to me
Origin: 1960s phrase popularized by TV shows.
Example: Sock it to me with the latest news!
36. Spaced Out
Translation: Distracted or dazed
Origin: 1960s-1970s slang for being absent-minded.
Example: He's totally spaced out, probably thinking about the concert.
37. Split
Translation: Leave quickly
Origin: Used in the 1960s to indicate a quick departure.
Example: This party is a drag, let's split.
38. Square
Translation: Uncool or boring
Origin: 1950s and 1960s slang for someone who is conventional or old-fashioned.
Example: Don't be such a square, come join the fun!
39. The skinny
Translation: The information or gossip
Origin: 1960s slang for the inside scoop or details.
Example: Give me the skinny on what happened at the party.
40. Threads
Translation: Clothes
Origin: 1960s slang for stylish clothing.
Example: Check out his new threads, he's looking sharp!
41. Trippy
Translation: Strange or psychedelic
Origin: 1960s slang related to hallucinogenic experiences.
Example: That music video is really trippy.
42. Uptight
Translation: Tense or anxious
Origin: 1960s slang for someone who is stressed.
Example: Don't be so uptight, just relax.
43. Vibes
Translation: Feelings or atmosphere
Origin: 1960s slang for the mood or energy of a place.
Example: I'm getting good vibes from this place.
44. Wannabe
Translation: Someone trying to be something they're not
Origin: 1970s slang for a poser.
Example: He's just a wannabe rockstar.
45. Woke
Translation: Socially aware
Origin: Originally from African American Vernacular English in the 1960s.
Example: Stay woke to what's happening in the world.