What does the term “keen” imply?
In essence, this is a term for something that is cool. It's also a cute shorthand for "great" or "wonderful" when used more casually. Like many other slang expressions from the '50s and '60s, "peachy-keen" is now typically used ironically, though you might still run into an eternally upbeat individual who uses it sincerely.
What does “solid” mean?
Here’s another synonym for the word “cool.” Like many other words from that decade, this 1970s slang appears to have its roots in African American culture. An illustration of this can be found in the blaxploitation classic "Blacula.". Also, the phrase "do me a solid" is commonly used as a polite way to request assistance from another person.
What does the word “boogie” mean?
Disco first appeared in this decade, so it makes sense that this word first gained widespread usage back in the 1970s. However, this word appeared earlier in the 40s to describe a kind of blues music. In the disco era, "to boogie" means "dancing in a disco style," as in the hit song "Get Up and Boogie" by the Euro disco band Silver Convention.
What does the phrase “far out!” mean?
Could it be that astronomy nerds came up with one this when jamming about how cool it is to gaze upon far away galaxies? Possibly not, but we stand by our theory anyhow. It's easy to assume that this catchphrase from the '70s indicates a specific, far-away location or place—but it simply expresses how cool something is. Far out, man!
What does streak mean?
In the 1970s, streaking was used mostly as a joke or a means of political protest. Then, in 1974, it reached peak popularity at athletic events and college campuses. Novelty pop songs, publications, funny gifts, and even a presidential watch all sprang out inspired by this strange trend. It’s strange to think about how running around in your birthday suit could impact public policy, but there you go. Let’s just say we’re undecided on whether we’d like to see this sort of thing make a comeback.
What does the term “crib” mean?
If you were to make your vehicle your home, we suppose you could call it a crib. But generally speaking, it is meant to describe a static home or lodgings. “Crib” is mostly used to describe the place where infants sleep. Shakespeare is responsible for this word since he was the first person to use the word to mean "a small house." In this case, its slang use more accurately captures its original meaning.
What does it mean when someone is described as “foxy”?
Women with attitude were referred to as "vixens," a word that means “female fox,” in the 1500s, long before women were said to be “foxy.” However, "foxy" didn’t take the popular lead until 1895. In the 1970s, when Jimi Hendrix released "Foxy Lady," the term was used to describe women as sexy and became far more widely accepted and used.
What does it mean when someone is groovy?
The word "groove" was emblematic of 1960s and 1970s culture. When used as a noun, it refers to a relaxed atmosphere, and when used as a verb (to groove), it means to act cool and to have a laid-back demeanor. Therefore, the development of an adjective form was unavoidable at some point. Groovy, baby!
What does “square” mean?
Though every generation has its own slang for distinguishing cool kids from nerds, "square" had a slightly different connotation for the hippies than "geek" does now. Never trying drugs and selling out to consumerism were common ways people found themselves hit with the label. It wasn't just that "squares" didn't have the same sense of style; they came from an entirely different world.
What does the term “a drag” imply?
The modern definition of the word is humiliating someone publicly by "dragging" them. But during the 1970s, "drag" was a slang term that referred to a disappointment or an event that made you feel depressed. People would say things like, "Man, that's horrible. What a drag!" Alternatively, it was used to mean “to smoke.” "Take a drag" was slang for "take a hit of this."
What does “pad” mean?
The word "pad" has been used since the 16th century, but etymologists have been unable to track down any documentation of its ancestry. The word "pad" was a slang term for one's residence. In the 1970s, if a man picked you up, he might ask you back to his apartment, which he might refer to as his "pad."
What does it mean when someone asks, “you dig?”
Another way to lay this question out is by saying, "Are you okay with that? Do you understand?" This is a prime example of a prominent slang term that was popular during the 1960s and 1970s. Other expressions like "cool" got their start far earlier and lasted for longer, but "Dig?" in its many variations is an iconic hippie and disco-era saying.
What does the phrase “freak out” mean?
To freak out is to experience or create a loss of emotional control resulting from great excitement, shock, terror, joy, despair, etc. That one is still in use. While some people have found psychedelics like LSD and mushrooms to be very helpful in coping with depression and anxiety disorders, others have found them to be highly disturbing, especially after experiencing a "bad trip.” .
What does “fuzz” mean?
When referring to police officers in the United States, the term "the fuzz" was extensively used in the 1960s and 1970s. The origin of this phrase is unclear, with various possible explanations. Some people in England think it originated because of the fuzzy caps worn by some policemen. Others attribute it to the short, fuzzy haircuts that rookie police officers got when they graduated from the academy.
What do you do if you “scarf something down?”
It’s usually better to eat slowly, but when you’re hungry, sometimes you can’t help it. If someone saw you eating a pile of chips, popcorn, or potatoes quickly in the 1970s, they might exclaim that you really “scarfed that down!” If you were out at a diner, you might wash it down with a tasty milkshake.
What does the phrase “keep on truckin’” mean?
It's a nonsensical phrase that basically just means “keep on doing what you're doing.” Long-distance truck driving was seen as the coolest profession in the 1970s, which can be seen in movies such as Big Trouble In Little China. Because of this, the expression "Keep on truckin'" came to denote "keep your calm, take it easy," and so on. It’s commonly seen on jacket badges and insignias.
What does “boss” mean?
Nowadays, the phrase has connotations of being pushy or overly demanding. But back then, “boss” was a term used to describe someone or something awesome or cool. A Mustang or a Corvette was the typical "boss automobile" of the day, just when car culture began its ascent into supremacy.
What did “The Man” mean during the 70s?
The American slang term "The Man" can apply either to the government or to another authoritative figure in the country. Despite its obviously negative meaning, it can also be used as a term of admiration and praise. It's unclear whether this was intended to mean one individual or a system of domination, but it gets the point across either way. Keep in mind that the capital letter "M" is required if you want to write it.
What does “spaz” mean?
This phrase is actually quite offensive, so it’s not something you should use. Still, it might be good to know what people were talking about, even the ignorant ones. It is a shortened form of the word "spastic," which refers to an individual who lacks the ability to regulate their muscles. This word eventually began to be used negatively to refer to a person who was a bundle of anxious energy.
What does “book” mean?
The verb book can mean "to record or register," among other things. The term "book it," meaning "to run quickly," comes from the Black slang term "bookity-book," which was popular in the 1930s and refers to making a lot of noise when running away. Sometime in the 1950s, the phrase “bookity-book” was allegedly abbreviated to “book” and adopted the sense of "to move fast" in youth slang.
What does “bummer” imply?
This one never truly went out of style, even though "downer" came to compete with it in terms of popularity. In modern times, it’s more used as sarcasm, but it can be used straight too. For example, using it in a sarcastic tone when a friend is rambling on for way too long about a small problem should ensure that they understand how much you care about the little molehill they’re describing.
What does “chump” mean?
A chump is a person who easily falls for any kind of deception or scheme or who blindly accepts all information presented to them. Historically, "chump" was the generic insult of choice until "loser" gained popularity. He's the guy whose buttery side of the toast always falls face down. Originally meaning "short, thick piece of wood," this use of chump did not arise until the 1880s.
What does “tripping” mean?
These days, a person having worries or negative emotions for whatever reason might be considered to be "tripping." However, in the 1970s, when psychiatric drugs were widely popular, it signified that someone was taking them at that very moment, which could either positively or negatively influence the user's emotional state.
What does it mean when someone refers to you as “cat”?
The '70s were a golden age for cool cats. However, if you attempted to appear hip but knew little about how actually to pull it off, people would quickly see through your act. This term originated in the middle of the twentieth century within the slang of African Americans. It was always a male, never a woman, who was referred to as "a pretty cool cat" for unclear reasons. Nowadays, “cat” is derogatorily used for women. For example, a “cat fight” can be used to describe a fight between two women in a belittling tone.
The phrase “sit on it” was used as:
If someone told you to do this in the 70s, it means that whatever you just said wasn’t much appreciated. Maybe they’re being rude, or maybe what you just said was insulting to them. Either way, you’ve got a problem on your hands. This phrase was first popularized by the popular 70s sitcom, “Happy Days,” which itself was set in the 1950s.
What does “head” mean?
In an interview, the author Stephen King, who has always been honest about his history of drug usage, successfully employed this phrase to his great advantage. "Back in the 1970s, I was a real head," he remarked. "When I say, 'I was ahead of everyone else,' what I really mean is that I was A HEAD."
What does “rap” mean?
It’s used to describe a genre of music these days, but back in the 70s, this word meant “to have an honest talk with someone.” It was most frequently used by parents, teachers, and religious members when engaging in serious talk. Many children raised in the 1970s have vivid memories of rolling their eyes in response to whenever an adult asks them, "Do you want to rap?"
What does the phrase “outta sight” mean?
The hippie era is often associated with the idiom "out of sight," and the phrase carried over to the 70s. Hippies adopted the word as a synonym for the term "far out," which was a derivative of this phrase. Usually, we'd just use this word as a synonym for "cool," but it tends to be used to imply a sense of wonder as if a positive impression has been made.
What does “bum” mean?
The term "bum" refers to someone who takes something from another person without giving anything back in return. Having completely distinct connotations on either side of the Atlantic, this word is a common source of amusement on both sides. For example, "Can I bum a smoke?" is the typical use of this term. Strictly speaking, it meant "have" rather than "borrow."
What does “bag” mean during the 70s?
In 70s slang, “bag” refers to something that a person strongly prefers, desires for, enjoys, or is concerned with. It’s a word that is frequently employed in negative sentences. This one isn't used very much anymore and is one of the more obscure 70s slang words. Nowadays, people might say that an activity, preference, or interest is their “thing.”.
What does “brick house” mean?
A person, often a woman, who has a full figure and is physically powerful while also being sexually appealing. The song by the Commodores with the same name is likely the reason why so many people are familiar with this one. It's a timeless tune singing the praises of a little "bam" in the front and "pow" in the back!
What does “Bogart” mean?
There's no denying that Humphrey Bogart possessed a certain vintage cool. But he immortalized a slang word for failing to pass along a joint in a timely manner. Bogart often acted out entire scenes without ever removing the cigarette from his mouth during filming, which likely contributed to this term.
What does “tuff” mean?
It seems like you could never really run out of "cool" adjectives. In the 1970s, "cool" was a common slang term, but it was also commonly referred to by a wide variety of other slang terms, including “tuff.” According to the novel "The Outsiders," which popularized the term, "'tuff' and "tough" are two different adjectives. Both could be considered compliments.
What does it mean to “jive”?
When you jive with someone, it suggests you are not being honest, or you are telling lies. Talking is another possible meaning of the term. Everyone has a friend or acquaintance who embellishes the truth but, at the same time, has a colorful personality and a sense of humor. This reasonably accurately portrays the "jive talker" popular in the 1970s.
What does ”toke” mean?
According to Merriam-Webster, a "toke" is a single puff taken from a marijuana joint, pipe, or cigarette. Since being decriminalized in all 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2018, the marijuana industry is booming today. Perhaps this is why we are comfortable enough to simply refer to it as "smoking," as that is what it is.
If pointed at something and said that it was “so bad,” what was it really?
The meaning of many words was reversed in the 70s, possibly as a way to confuse the older generations. Some things could be described as “bad” and really be “bad”—it all depended on the tone of the speaker’s voice. This was a trend that started in the 1960s but carried on strong through the next decade. It even made its way to the 90s.
What does hip mean?
The words "hip" and "hipster" seem to have originated during the Prohibition era when it was considered stylish to conceal a flask of illegal booze on one's hip. Anyone seen doing this was labeled "hip" or "a hipster." The word "hip" was revived in a big way by the youth of the 1970s. The term "hipster" disappeared for a while before returning in the 2000s, but it wasn’t exactly used as a compliment.
What does the term “gassin’” mean?
The 1970s was known for popularizing various amusing words and phrases. For example, one type of slang word for talking was "gassin'," which referred to someone talking in an overly confident and boastful manner. It has also been used to describe someone who is rapping.
What does “dream on” mean?
While some people have a dream they would someday like to attain, it was common back in the 70s to tell someone to “dream on” if their ambitions were somewhat unrealistic. It was a nice way of saying “enjoy the dream because you’re never going to make it!” For example, “You want to make a computer the size of a deck of cards? Dream on, buddy!”
“Your mother” was a phrase you’d only say to:
This was not a phrase you would say lightly—not unless you are looking for a fight. Although this phrase came around in the 70s, it still sees some use today, and still very much evokes the same result. In fact, to save you the trouble, it would be better if you never use it at all. If you hear this kind of language, you might want to walk away.
What did people mean when they said “wowzers?”
“Wowzers” was something that jumped out of many people’s mouths after they witnessed or experienced something astounding, fantastic, or unbelievable. “Wowzers, I can’t believe how much weight he lost this month!” or, “How fast can this car go? Wowzers! Really fast!” While it hasn’t seen as much use today, most people will understand what you mean if you use it.
“Catch you on the flip side” is another way of saying what to friends or family?
This fun little phrase is another way of saying that you’ll see this person again. It originally came from the music world. A band’s single or album vinyl often had a B-side, meaning that it could be flipped over for more tracks. The Vinyl record might also be the point of origin for the saying “groovy,” as a record player’s needle ran through a vinyl’s groove to catch the music.
What could “funky” possibly mean?
“Something seems funky about this car,” might be something you would hear at a suspicious car dealership. If something was described as “funky,” it meant that it was odd, out of place, or even dangerous. Similarly, it could also be used to describe a smell—if your lunch or milkshake smelt “funky,” then it probably wasn’t safe to consume.
What does it mean if you have to “split?”
If you were at a party in the 70s and for whatever reason you have to head out before things started to wind down, you would announce to your friends that you “gotta split,” letting them know that you would be making an exit within the next minute or so. It’s always good to let your friends know where you are at a party—next time you need to leave, let them know by telling them you have to “split.”
Someone tells you that you are “harshing their mellow.” What could you be doing?
One’s mellow should never be harshed, if possible. If someone tells you that you are harshing their mellow, it means you are irritating them, that you are breaking their peace, or that you are getting on their nerves. Better stop whatever you’re doing or give them space to return their mellow to a gentle and relaxed state as soon as possible—or at least apologize.
What does “may the force be with you” mean?
In 1977, the first Star Wars film appeared in theaters. This had a monumental effect on pop culture and spawned millions of fans who loved to recite famous lines such as “may the Force be with you.” In general, it’s a wish that you’ll have good luck and be safe and protected.
When you’re getting ready to “boogie down,” what are you about to do?
The 1970s was a decade that loved to party. Friends going out for a night of disco dancing and drinks would often say that they were ready to “boogie down.” This fun phrase referred to the whole night out – part socializing, part drinking, and part dancing. After a long night, you’d head to the diner for some breakfast.
When you said “peace out,” what did that mean?
Although the 1970s differed a lot from the countercultural 1960s, they were still inspired by a lot of the earlier ideals. This was particularly true for the anti-war movement that focused on spreading peace instead of war. To commemorate that, many 70s hipsters said “peace out” instead of “goodbye” when leaving a party.
When people talked about “flower power,” what did they mean?
The Vietnam War raged throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The countercultural movement against the war held a bunch of protests, including an iconic one in Berkeley, California where protesters placed flowers in guns. This powerful image led to the idea of “flower power,” of peace and love being able to conquer hate.
When did you say the phrase “smooth move, ex-lax”?
The friendly and sarcastic way to gently make fun of a friend who did something silly was to say, “smooth move, ex-lax.” The unique phrasing came from the famous laxative medication called ex-lax. As you can see by saying it to yourself a few times, it’s quite a fun phrase!
If a friend of yours said, “what a nightmare,” what did they mean?
When someone went through a rough experience – a bad vacation, an unhealthy relationship, an uncomfortable work environment, etc. – they often said, “what a nightmare!” Likening something in real life with the horrors of a nightmare was a way of really emphasizing how unpleasant the experience was. The only problem, of course, was that it really happened.
If something was “freaky deaky,” what was it?
Say your friend just came from watching an independent movie at the arthouse cinema. If you asked what it was like, they might respond by saying, “it was freaky deaky!” That was a fun, clever, and highly rhythmic way to say the movie was very strange (which, considering it was an arthouse cinema, sounds about right).