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

5 Giggle Water

Translation: Alcoholic beverage.

Origin: A playful term from the prohibition era.

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

20 Zozzled

Translation: Drunk

Origin: 1920s slang, similar to blotto.

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