Art, obsession, and identity
"Claws sharp" was a '50s term to describe someone who was well-informed on a variety of topics.
Dating back to the '20s, a "cancelled stamp" is a shy or introverted girl.
Also dating back to Victorian times, "cop a mouse" means to "get a black eye."
A 1920s slang term from Texas, it has nothing to do with breakfast. The phrase refers to a wealthy but unsophisticated small-town businessman who acts like a playboy when he visits the big city.
Originating back in the 1530s, "crapulous" means that you ate or drank too much of a good thing. You feel crapulous!
To "focus your audio" means "to listen carefully." Good one!
Dating back to the '50s, this phrase means "don't get too upset" or "go ballistic."
Dating back to the first part of the 1900s, "flub the dub" means you're slacking at your job. You don't want to be the king or queen of flubbing the dub!
Another Victorian slang phrase, "don’t sell me a dog" was a fancy way of saying "don’t lie to me."
"Gigglemug" is Victorian slang, which referred to a person who was always smiling.
The phrase "hotter than Dutch love in harvest" dates back to the '60s and means excessively hot weather. You could say, for example, "Tomorrow is supposed to be hotter than Dutch love in harvest."
One of the more recent ones on here, this '90s bit of slang means becoming furious, often to the point of violence, and usually in a workplace environment.
Keeping it with the vegetable theme, this 1940s phrase means a sizable amount of money to be spent on self-satisfying things. It was a different time...
Dating back to the 1700s, "give a body the flesh creep" means the shivers. So you can use it when you're cold or scared.
How about bringing this back from the 1920s? This phrase means "to know what's up" or "what's going on."
To "give someone the wind" is to jilt a suitor. Or in other words, to ghost your last Tinder date!
"Off his chump" was how 19th-century Australians could describe someone who was acting a little crazy.
Sources: (Mental Floss) (Bustle)
See also: Common phrases that sound terrifying when taken literally
This mid-19th century slang term refers to someone who brings their own food when visiting a place, rather than buying it locally.
"So cold that the milk cows gave icicles" is a very descriptive way to describe the cold!
Whenever you're having a bad day, make sure you "pang-wangle." It means to live or go along cheerfully in spite of minor misfortunes.
According to the 1967 'Dictionary of American Slang,' a "pretzel-bender" can mean a peculiar person, a player of the French horn, a wrestler, or a heavy drinker. Very versatile!
First recorded in the '20s, this cute phrase means something is truly excellent, or as good as it gets.
This delightful bit of Victorian slang means "to win."
Another one from the '20s, "the bank's closed" means you're not up for kissing or making out right now.
Another hot weather-related term, "the bear got him" means that the person had a heatstroke.
This British slang from the 1850s means "to be angry." It was also popularly used in Australia.
First used in 1939, "tickety-boo" means everything is correct or alright. For example, you might say something like, "My date last night was great. Everything went tickety-boo."
First recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1942, this phrase isn't as tech-savvy as it sounds. It actually means you're feeling a bit lovestruck, or even foolish.
Back in the '20s, a "fly rink" was a polished bald head.
"In the ketchup" means "in the red," or "operating at a deficit."
If you hang around older relatives or watch older movies, then you've probably heard some hilarious old-fashion slang words. And while they may sound a bit odd, let's all admit that some antiquated slang terms can perfectly convey just about every mood. So why not bring them back to present times? Not only will it sound funny, but people will be impressed by your knowledge of linguistics and history, too!
Curious? Click on to check out these old slang phrases.
Hilarious old-school slang phrases we should bring back
These phrases deserve a comeback!
LIFESTYLE Language
If you hang around older relatives or watch older movies, then you've probably heard some hilarious old-fashion slang words. And while they may sound a bit odd, let's all admit that some antiquated slang terms can perfectly convey just about every mood. So why not bring them back to present times? Not only will it sound funny, but people will be impressed by your knowledge of linguistics and history, too!
Curious? Click on to check out these old slang phrases.