The Lost Generation Slang

The Lost Generation 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 The Lost Generation slang, along with translations and example sentences, so that you can enter your next The Lost Generation conversation with confidence.

1. Bee's Knees

Translation: The best or most excellent.

Origin: Likely from the idea of bees carrying pollen on their knees, making them valuable.

Example: That new jazz club is the bee's knees, let's hit it up tonight!

2. Blotto

Translation: Extremely drunk

Origin: Slang from the 1920s, possibly from the idea of being blotted out.

Example: After a few too many at the speakeasy, he was totally blotto.

3. Cat's Pajamas

Translation: Something or someone wonderful or remarkable.

Origin: Similar to "bee's knees," it uses an animal metaphor to denote excellence.

Example: Her new flapper dress is the cat's pajamas, she looks swell!

4. Doll

Translation: An attractive woman

Origin: A term of endearment from the 1920s.

Example: That doll over there sure knows how to Charleston.

5. Giggle Water

Translation: Alcoholic beverage.

Origin: A playful term from the prohibition era.

Example: Let's grab some giggle water and have a roaring good time!

6. Hooch

Translation: Illicit liquor.

Origin: Derived from the Hoochinoo tribe in Alaska, known for brewing alcohol.

Example: They've got some strong hooch at the speakeasy, be careful!

7. Jake

Translation: Okay or fine

Origin: Possibly from the phrase "everything 's jake."

Example: Don't worry about it, everything's jake.

8. Jalopy

Translation: An old, beat-up car.

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, possibly from the Spanish word "jalapa."

Example: We took the old jalopy for a spin around the block.

9. Keen

Translation: Attractive or appealing

Origin: Popular in the 1920s to describe something col or stylish.

Example: He's got a keen sense of style, always looks sharp.

10. Lounge Lizard

Translation: A man who frequents bars and clups, often to pick up women.

Origin: From the idea of lounging around in such places.

Example: Watch out for that lounge lizard, he's always on the prowl.

11. Moxie

Translation: Courage or nerve.

Origin: From a popular soft drink of the same name, implying energy and pep.

Example: She's got moxie, standing up to the boss like that.

12. Ritzy

Translation: Elegant or luxurious.

Origin: From the Ritz hotels, known for their opulence.

Example: They threw a ritzy party at the mansion last night.

13. Scram

Translation: Leave quickly

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, possibly from the German word "schramm."

Example: The cops are coming, we better scram!

14. Sheba

Translation: A beautiful woman

Origin: From the biblical Queen of Sheba, known for her beauty.

Example: That Sheba over there is the talk of the town.

15. Speakeasy

Translation: An illicit bar during prohibition.

Origin: From the need to speak quietly about such places to avoid detection.

Example: We found a new speakeasy downtown, it's the bee's knees.

16. Swell

Translation: Excellent or wonderful

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, possibly from the idea of something swelling with pride.

Example: That new moview was swell, let's see it again!

17. Tight

Translation: Drunk.

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, possibly from the idea of being tightly wound.

Example: He got tight after just a few drinks.

18. Upchuck

Translation: Vomit

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, a more colorful way to describe being sick.

Example: He had too much giggle water and ended up upchucking.

19. Whoopee

Translation: Fun or celebration

Origin: Early 20th-century slang, often used to describe a lively party.

Example: Let's make some whoopee tonight, it's going to be a blast!

20. Zozzled

Translation: Drunk

Origin: 1920s slang, similar to blotto.

Example: After a few rounds, everyone was zozzled and having a great time.