DECA: 1920s Slang

All Wet

Dexcribes an erroneous (false) idea or individual, as in, “he’s all wet.“

Applesauce or horsefeathers

an expletive; same as horsefeathers, As in “Ah applesauce!“

Dee’s Knees

An extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate.

Berries

That which is attractive or pleasing; similar to bee’s knees, As in “It’s the berries.“

Big Cheese

The most important or influential person; boss. Same as big shot.

Bluenose

An excessively puritanical person, a prude, Creator of “the Blue Nozzle Curse“

Bump Off

To murder, to kill

Cake-Eater

A ladies’ man, or someone who attends tea parties.

Carry a Torch

To have a crush on someone.

Cat’s Meow/cat’s pajamas

Something splendid or stylish; similar to bee’s knees; greatest or wonderful.

Cheaters

Eyeglasses

Crush

An infatuation

Darb

An excellent person or thing (as in “the Darb“ - a person with money who can be relied to pay)

Dogs

feet

Drugstore Cowboy

a guy that hangs around on a street corner trying to pick up girls

Dumb Dora

a stupid female

Fall guy

Victim of a frame

Flapper

A stylish, brash, hedonistic young woman with short skirts and shorter hair.

Flat Tire

A dull witted, insipid, disappointing date. Same as pill, pickle, drag, rag, oilcan.

Gams

A woman’s legs

Giggle Water

An intoxicating beverage; alcohol

Gin Mill

An establishment where hard liquor is sold; bar.

Hard Boiled

a tough, strong guy.

Heebie-Jeebies

The jitters.

High-Hat

To snub.

Hooch

Bootleg liquor

Hoofer

Dancer

Hotsy-Totsy

Pleasing.

Jake

OK, as in, “Everything is Jake.“

Jalopy

Old car.

Joint

A club, usually selling slcohol

Keen

Attractive or appealing.

Kisser

Mouth

Line

Insincere flattery.

Lounge Lizard

a guy that is sexually active

Moll

A gangster’s girl.

Neck

Kissing with passion.

Ossified

A drunk person.

Pet

Same as neck, but more so.

Pinch

To arrest.

Pushover

A person easily convinced or seduced.

Ritzy

Elegant (from the hotel).

Scram

Ask someone to leave immediately.

Sheba

A woman with sex appeal (from the move Queen of Sheba) or (e.g. Clara Box).

Sheik

A man with sex appeal (from the Valentino movies).

Speakeasy

An illicit bar selling bootleg liquor

Spiffy

An elegant appearance.

Struggle Buggy

The backseat of a car. A parent’s worst nightmare.