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