Slang of the 1940's

The 1940s' had World War II, saw the USA being attacked at Pearl Harbor and millions died tragically.

The pin up girl had her heyday - Woman went to work for the war effort, rationing home gardens and helping to win the war was paramount. 

 In the midst of all this, English got wacky, with the introduction of new military jargon and a hipster slang called vout. Inspired by jazz musician Slim Gaillard, trendsetters took to adding a little zipperoo to their speech. 

The vernacular got a little snapperoony. Ding dong-o-reeny! But if you're already hep to the 40s' jive talk, this is no news to you.

Albatross: chicken, as referred to by World War II troops

Alreet: jive slang for “all right”

Battery acid - coffee, in army slang  

 bobby soxer    teenage girl who wore white socks pushed down around the top of the shoe

Take a powder – to leave

Fuddy-Duddy – old-fashioned person

Gobbledygook – double talk, long speech  

Fat-head – stupid or foolish person

Chrome-dome – word for a bald headed man

Eager beaver – enthusiastic helper

Armored heifer – canned milk

In cahoots with – conspiring with

Snap your cap – get angry

Active duty – sexually promiscuous boy

Share crop – sexually promiscuous girl

Doll dizzy – girl crazy

Above my pay grade – don’t ask me

Cook with gas – to do something right

Killer-diller – good stuff

Hi sugar, are you rationed? – are you going steady?

Stompers – shoes

Flip your wig – to lose control of yourself    

Pennies from heaven – easy money

Ameche – to telephone

   Gone with the wind – run off (with the money)

Lettuce - money

Gas - either a good time or something that was really funny

Grandstand – to show off

Brainchild – someone’s creative idea

What’s buzzin’, cousin? – how’s it going?

Khaki wacky – boy crazy

Hen fruit – eggs

Hi-de-ho - hello

Pass the buck – pass responsibility for