Slang from 1900 to 1945

About this list

The First World War, jazz, and the con artist’s trade each left words behind here: san fairy ann, hep, and grift among them. The list runs in date order to the end of the Second World War.

42 words, oldest first

dogs the early 20th century

Feet, from rhyming slang dog's meat.

hip the early 20th century

Aware, informed, up-to-date, trendy.

drag the early 20th century

A men's party attended in women's clothing.

on the tap the early 20th century

Begging, making requests for loans.

san fairy ann the early 20th century

It doesn't matter.

Rosie Lee the early 20th century

Synonym of tea (“(uncountable) a drink made by infusing dried leaves or buds of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) in hot water; (countable) a cup of this drink”)

gumshoe the early 20th century

A detective.

chain lightning the early 20th century

A high-proof whiskey or other spirit that has not been allowed to mature; a poor-quality or adulterated spirit.

hummer the early 20th century

A place, event etc. that is bustling or full of activity.

hep 1903

Aware, up-to-date.

doozy 1903

Of high quality; remarkable; excellent.

doll up 1906

To dress up finely or elaborately; to deck up. (often of ostentatious display)

grift 1906

A confidence game or swindle.

beezer 1908

nose

hickey 1909

An object whose name is unknown or cannot be recalled.

long drink of water the 1910s

A tall person.

bozo the 1910s

A stupid, foolish, or ridiculous person, especially a man.

torpedo the 1910s

A woman's shoe with a pointed toe.

go Dutch 1914

To pay for one's own food and bills, or split the cost, when eating at a restaurant or going out for entertainment.

doohickey 1914

A thing (used in a vague way to refer to something whose name one does not know or cannot recall)

tin hat 1915

The steel helmet worn by soldiers during World War I.

shiv 1915

To stab (someone) with a shiv.

slum gun 1917

A field kitchen.

shoot the breeze 1919

To chat idly or generally waste time talking.

pain in the neck the 1920s

Someone or something which is annoying, irritating or inconvenient.

grouse the 1920s

Excellent.

reefer the 1920s

A marijuana cigarette.

muggle the 1920s

Marijuana.

skag the 1920s

An unattractive woman.

sheikh the 1920s

A romantic lover.

nabe 1922

Neighborhood.

bag of fruit 1924

A suit (clothing).

stir-crazy around 1925

Of a prisoner, mentally unbalanced due to prolonged incarceration.

bingo 1925

Just sufficient to return to base (or, alternatively, to divert to an alternative airfield). (also written Bingo or BINGO)

skint 1925

Penniless, poor, impecunious, broke.

mickey the 1930s

A potato or sweet potato; specifically, one roasted over a fire outdoors.

biffy 1935

A toilet.

groovy the 1940s

Cool, neat, interesting.

crash the 1940s

To lie down for a long rest, sleep or nap, as from tiredness or exhaustion.

rug 1940

A wig; a hairpiece.

beef up 1941

To strengthen or reinforce; to add substance to.

hot rod 1945

To modify a vehicle for enhanced driving performance, top speed, and/or to accelerate faster.