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. Applesauce
Translation: Nonsense or flattery
Origin: 1920s slang for something foolish or insincere.
Example: Don't give me that applesauce, I know you're pulling my leg!
2. Baloney
Translation: Nonsense
Origin: 1920s slang for something that is not true.
Example: His excuse for being late is a bunch of baloney.
3. Bearcat
Translation: A fierce or lively person
Origin: 1920s term for someone with energy and spirit.
Example: She's a real bearcat on the dance floor!
4. 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!
5. Berries
Translation: Excellent or desirable
Origin: 1920s slang, similar to "bee's knees."
Example: That new Ford is the berries!
6. 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.
7. 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!
8. Chassis
Translation: The human body
Origin: 1920s slang, particularly referring to a woman's figure.
Example: She sure has a classy chassis.
9. Copacetic
Translation: Excellent or satisfactory
Origin: 1920s slang for something being just right.
Example: Everything's copacetic, no need to worry.
10. Darb
Translation: An excellent person or thing
Origin: 1920s slang for something exceptional.
Example: That new hat is a darb!
11. Doll
Translation: An attractive woman
Origin: A term of endearment from the 1920s.
Example: That doll over there sure knows how to Charleston.
12. Gams
Translation: Legs
Origin: 1920s slang, often used to describe a woman's legs.
Example: Did you see the gams on that flapper?
13. 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!
14. Hard-boiled
Translation: Tough or callous
Origin: 1920s slang for someone who is hardened or cynical.
Example: He's a hard-boiled detective who has seen it all.
15. 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!
16. Horsefeathers
Translation: Nonsense
Origin: 1920s slang for something ridiculous or untrue.
Example: Horsefeathers! I don't believe a word of it.
17. Jake
Translation: Okay or fine
Origin: Possibly from the phrase "everything 's jake."
Example: Don't worry about it, everything's jake.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. Nifty
Translation: Excellent or stylish
Origin: 1920s slang for something fashionable or clever.
Example: That's a nifty trick you pulled off!
23. Ossified
Translation: Drunk
Origin: 1920s slang, from the idea of being stiff or rigid.
Example: He got completely ossified at the party.
24. Pushover
Translation: An easy task or gullible person
Origin: 1920s slang for someone easily influenced.
Example: He's a pushover, you can talk him into anything.
25. Razz
Translation: To tease or make fun of
Origin: 1920s slang, short for "raspberry."
Example: Don't razz me about my dancing!
26. 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.
27. Scram
Translation: Leave quickly
Origin: Early 20th-century slang, possibly from the German word "schramm."
Example: The cops are coming, we better scram!
28. 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.
29. 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.
30. 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!
31. 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.
32. Tomato
Translation: An attractive woman
Origin: 1920s slang for a pretty girl.
Example: That tomato sure caught my eye.
33. 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.
34. Wet Blanket
Translation: Someone who spoils the fun
Origin: 1920s term for a killjoy or party pooper.
Example: Don't be such a wet blanket, come dance with us!
35. 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!
36. Zozzled
Translation: Drunk
Origin: 1920s slang, similar to blotto.
Example: After a few rounds, everyone was zozzled and having a great time.