Slang, Idioms & American

CultureMr. Cruz 06/12/2013

1940s • War time the U.S• Women entered the workforce• Whites and Blacks began to unite (beginning of

crm)• Economic recovery• Televisions in houses for the first time (those that

could afford it)

1940s slang• Bum rap – This referred to a false accusation.• Bust your chops – This phrase was basically meant as a

scolding, maybe to yell, but not to literally hit someone.• Buzz – We still use this word today and it still refers to being

tipsy.• Call girl – This is another phrase that is used today. Back in

the 1940s it referred to a by appointment only prostitute. Today it still refers to a prostitute, however more of an upscale prostitute.

• Cheesy – Yet another word that has managed to stay in contemporary vernacular. Back in the 1940s it meant cheap.

• Go belly up- bankrupt/a failure- still used• Gumshoe- a P.I• Hi-de-Ho- Hello…still used (the Simpsons)

1940s Slang• Dope – Back in the 1940s this word meant information,

however now it is another word for drugs.• Drop – This word meant to kill.• Fat-head – In the 1940s people called stupid or foolish

people  a fat-head.• Chicken – In the 1940s this word referred to a person

who was being a coward about something. Today it still means the same thing.

• Chrome-dome – This used to be an offensive word for a bald headed man.  While “chrome-dome” is not exclusively used to refer to any bald man, the word “dome” still refers to the head.

• Cold – In the 1940s this word referred to leads that could no longer be pursued. Today it remains in contemporary vernacular meaning the same thing.

1940s Slang• Fix –This word is sometimes still used today, and it

means a dose of drugs (mainly narcotics); in the 1940s it was used when referencing drug fiends.

• Geezer – This word was a derogatory term for an older person. Still used today.

• Cop- Police Officer Also (Copper).• Chuck- to vomit• Fruity- resembling homosexual acivity• Crack open- to open a bottle (still used very much

today)• Deck out- nicely dressed-still used• Dud- doesn’t work properly- still used

1940s /Jive• Jive was a form a slang derrived from Harlem NY used by

Jazz Musicians• G-man- FBI agent _still used• Alligator-A devotee of jazz or swing music. • Chops- Refers to any musician's level of ability.[Government

man. Especially ones who arrest or harass peaceful citizens.• Gage- marijuana. Particularly associated with Louis Armstrong.• Gate- Any man. usually used as a greeting. "Yo' gate, what's

the word from the herd?".• Gatemouth-A hornplayer who has a large mouth or a mouth

that is habitually open. • Hep-In the know. Later, hip.• Hep cat-Knowledgeable person. Later, hipster.• High-Happy.

1940s Culture/Music• Jazz

o Ella Fitzgerald-Baby its cold outsideo Billie Holliday-Lady sings the blueso Louis Armstrong-what a wonderful worldo Nat King Cole-L-O-V-E

• Pop Musico Frank Sinatra-New York, New Yorko Bing Crosby-White Christmas

• Transition to Urban Blues in the 1950s

1940s products, stores and more

• Kroger stores expand• Robinson’s –Now Macy’s• Sears becomes a retail store!• Coca-Cola colorful advertising and Santa gets a

Face

1940s products, stores and more

• Abbott and Costello---aaaaabbbbooottt!• Clark Gable- Gone with the wind- Frankly my

dear, I don’t give a Damn!

Last one…I promise