The Most Popular Slang the Year You Were Born
The word "duh" is much, much older than you think.
Like fashion, slang changes with the times. A word that seems current one year can feel wildly dated as time goes on. (Just think about how weird it would be to say something is "da bomb" in 2022.) Even when watching old movies, it's hard not to laugh at the since-abandoned phrases they use so seriously. And forget about any generations before that — someone living a century ago would hardly be able to communicate with someone using today's modern slang.
With the help of the Oxford English Dictionary (especially its handy dandy word of the year records) and a few other archival resources, we've rounded up the slang words that defined every year. Though some words really reflect their time period, you might be surprised by how old some of our go-to slang actually is. Or how much you've forgotten — we know that we're still trying to forget about "whassup."
1926: Gold-Dig
The money-flush times of the Roaring Twenties gave rise to this term for a woman who is interested in a man, but only for his money. It came from the appropriately-titled "Mantrap" by Sinclair Lewis.
1927: It Girl
Hollywood couldn't get enough of Clara Bow, so much that she was branded the "It Girl."
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1928: Baloney
It's hooey, it's baloney. This word can be traced back to an article in The Saturday Evening Post, which referred to something phony as being a bunch of balony (their spelling).
1929: It Boy
A couple of years after the "It Girl" came Hollywood's "It Boy," which referred to basically any handsome young guy.
1930: Booksy
Instead of being "bookish," anyone who took an interest in reading was "booksy."
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1931: Snazzy
This word perfectly articulated the elegant-but-also-flashy style of Hollywood starlets and heartbreakers alike of the early part of this decade.
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1932: Burp
The word "burp" almost replicates the noise one makes when belching.
1933: Beered Up
Nineteen thirty-three would be the year that Prohibition would be repealed, an occasion that was robustly celebrated.
1934: Boffo
This word originated from the burgeoning comedy scene, where a line that delivered a big laugh was a "boffo."
1935: Gramps
This could refer to your grandpa, or any older person you felt like insulting.
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1936: Bingo
This referred to, yes, the bingo halls that became a hot fad (and then a long-loved game).
1937: Gunky
Another great word here, referring to something that's pretty gross.
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1938: Fave
Another entertainment industry term that made its way into common language, "fave" was used exactly how it is now: To refer to a favorite thing.
1939: Bad-Mouthing
Before we trash-talked, we engaged in bad-mouthing our opponents in sports.
1940: Baby Blues
The rise of parenting experts lead to a whole new vocabulary for new parents. The term "baby blues" would refer to any sadness felt by a mother after the birth of her baby.
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1941: Dreamboat
Yet another phrase borrowed from Hollywood, this time to refer to a handsome actor. Though generally used for younger celebrities, we still think Cary Grant is a dreamboat.
1942: Hyper
No longer considered a polite term these days, but this shortened version of "hyperactive" was used to describe kids with far too much energy.
1943: Duh
This one was a surprise! Though we associate "Duh" with the '90s, it was widely used as an off-handed remark in the '40s (OED cites a "Merrie Melodies" cartoon as the source).
1944: Tag-Along
Interestingly, a "tag-along" was a military term that originally referred to a bomb. It was then repurposed into slang, to describe anyone who was unexpectedly joining in on your plans for the day.
1945: Doh!
Another surprise from the '40s! Before Homer Simpson had this catchphrase, this offhanded expression has roots in radio programs. Specifically, the program "It's That Man Again." Doh!
As an Editorial Fellow for Good Housekeeping, Katie covers health, beauty, home, and pop culture. Outside of the office, you can find her killing it on the karaoke machine or listening to true crime podcasts.
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