Slang of the 20th Century: From Flappers to Rapper

1. Slang of the 20th Century: From Flappers to Rapper Alan D. DeSantis

2. Some Opening Notes: • A) Slang changes quickly • – 10% retention rate every 10 years (Eble, 1987) • B) But slang is reincarnated over and over again • – The same terms are seen every generation– Often w/ different meanings (drag, fat, bimbo) • C) Used almost exclusively by the youngD) Every generation “slangs” what is important to them • – Studying their slang is a way to understand a generation

3. Some Opening Notes: • E) Why is slang used? • – 1) It conceals meaning from parents • But do kids use slang in front of them? • – 2) It identifies you as part of the tribe– 3) It defies authority (talking like a rebel) – 4) It makes one feel special & important – 5) It excludes other peer groups

4. Let’s Test Your Knowledge of Slang • Number your paper from 1 through 14. • Let’s Test Your Knowledge of Slang • For each question, give me your best guess. • At the end of class, we will award the Championship to the “Hippest Cat!”

5. I. From 1900-1919 • Before the end of WWI (1919) there was little use – Why: Mass media was not a “national” phenomenon • • Terms could not be shared or spread by the youth culture College students used slang “locally” • – At East we have: lol, omg, ...?But there was one NATIONAL exception . . . • 1) 23 Skidoo – Three meanings: OK, Good, See You Later – This was the 1st National Slang Term (1905)

6. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 1920s captured by F. Scott Fitzgerald – Times were good and decadent • The early 30s were depression years – Times were tough • •jazz (the gangster rap of the age) • The late 30s were swing and big-band – Strong slang influence from blacks culture

7. II. 1920-30s: From Flappers to Jazz • 2) Half-cut, fried, jammed, juiced, pie-eyed, – Drunk (most popular reference of the age • 3) Bat, brawl, buzz, rag, toot, wrestle, egg harbor – A dance party • 4) 5 Things: Gob stick, dog house, gobble pipe, skins, git box – Instruments: clarinet, bass, sax, drums, guitar

8. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 1941-45 saw WWII – Much slang was based on male war interactions. • After the war, America experience good times. – “Happy Days Are Here Again” #1 Song • They seemed to name everything – Not many stayed around

9. III. 1940s: From the War to Babies • 5) Drooly, pappy, swoony, BTO, PC, – An attractive man (big-time operator, prince charming) • 6) 5 Things: Moss, blinkers, flops, schnozz, pillars – Body Parts: Hair, eyes, ears, nose, legs • 7) Fatal pill, go-away kiss, lead pill, check out, blotto, in the drink – WWII Terms: Bullets and dying • If you got these 3, you are a real hep cat (most popular term)

10. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 1950s were “Happy Days,” at least on the surface • But there were always Fonzies • Young were restless(rejection of parents) • Salinger’s Catcher, Brando’s Wild One, Dean’s Rebel, & Elvis’ Jailhouse Rock • The Beatnickmovement also exploded • Wore black, drand coffee, & read poetry • Terms: Hipster, like, daddy-o, cat, & dig

11. IV. 1950s: From Cool to Beat • 8) Bad news, beast, bomb, hack, kemp, wedge • Cars & Hot Rods (many terms) • 9) Cut the grass, don’t tense, fade out, get bent • Insults: Shut up, take it easy, disappear, I hate you • 10) Squaresville, deadsville, dullsville • A bad place to be • If you got all 3, you are cool (#1), creamy, fat, mad, hairy

12. V. 1960’s: From Surf to dope • Breaking away from the conservative 50s • Rock Peaked: • Motown, British Invasion, Acid Rock, Hippie Rock, folk & Woodstock • It was the most politically active & individually expressive decade of the Century • Anti-Vietnam, Feminism, Civil Rights, Free Love, Free Speech, Black Power, etc.

13. V. 1960’s: From Surf to dope • 11) Barf, blow, beets, flash, heave, ralph • To get sick • 12) Category: hang ten, stoked, bitchin, dude, bro • Surf terms • If you got both, you’re bad, boss, freak, suave

14. Vi. 1979-80s: from disco to New Wave • 70s and 80s share a lot in common • Politically inactive, pop-culture driven, no wars, no meaningful direction. • Called the “me generation” • Really big with 1 or 2 word exclamations!! • Basic! (right) Be real!, Bite me!, Cool Beans!, Eat me!, Go for it! H0! (great), Heard that!, Not!

15. vi. 1970-80s: From disco to new wave • 13) To chill, hang, veg, jell, kick it, ease • To do nothing • 14) Category: Fer sure, Tscha, grody, totally, to the max. • Valley girl: “gag me with a spoon” • If you missed these, you are beat, gnarly, harsh, heinous.

16. Closing thoughts • A) Many words are cyclical and reincarnated. • 1930’s gave us: • Suck, sweet, mellow, not! • 1940’s gave us: • Brutal, cap, fly, scrub, tasty, groovy • 1950’s gave us: • Clue, hang, kill, nerd, trip, turn on • All have been reincarnated at least 3 times • Thus, each generation is not as innovative as they think.

17. Closing thoughts • B. Every generation “slangs” the same 8 things • 1) girls/guys • 2) drinking • In 1737, Ben Franklin counted 228 terms for drunkenness (1st slang list) • Greetings • Sex • Popular people • Unpopular people • Money • Homosexuals • Are these the most important topics for the young? • Looks like you, your parents, & your grandparents were not that different after all

18. Closing thoughts • C. What causes “slang” to change? • Answer:When mainstream America starts using it! • Why Hip-Hop vocabulary changes so quickly • D. Slang is here to stay • And NO, you will not understand the next generation • Isn’t that the point of slang?!