Buzz
The 1920s were an extraordinary decade marked by unique and peculiar events. It was a time of unprecedented freedom, where individuals embraced bold and unconventional behavior, breaking away from the norms of earlier decades. Flapper girls, extravagant dance parties, and rapid wealth accumulation during an economic surge defined the era. However, this period of exuberance was followed by the devastating events of October 1929 and the ensuing Great Depression. But for now, let’s focus on the vibrant spirit of the ’20s.
This list explores the most bizarre slang terms that gained popularity in the 1920s. These expressions are amusing, peculiar, and downright puzzling. Some of them are even intriguing enough to consider reviving in modern times. However, let’s hope that revisiting the Roaring Twenties doesn’t lead us into another economic catastrophe by the decade’s end.
10. Know Your Onions
Kicking off the list is a phrase that sets the tone for the rest: knowing your onions. If someone “knew their onions,” as the old saying went, they were highly knowledgeable about a specific topic. By the end of this list, you’ll hopefully “know your onions” when it comes to 1920s slang. It’s a quirky term, isn’t it? Simple to understand and use, but its origin remains a mystery. Why onions? And who was so adept with onions that this odd phrase became widely popular back in the day?
Legend has it that a man named S.G. Onions crafted counterfeit coins to educate children about the importance of money. (We’ll revisit the topic of fake coins later in this list, so keep that in mind.) When a child became exceptionally knowledgeable about finances, they were said to “know their onions,” thanks to S.G.’s teachings. While the authenticity of this tale is debatable, it’s an intriguing story nonetheless. Do you know your onions?
9. Oliver Twist
Interestingly, the slang term “Oliver Twist” in the 1920s had no connection to the famous 19th-century literary character. Instead, it was used to describe someone who excelled at dancing. The Roaring Twenties were a decade where dancing took center stage, with people enthusiastically hitting the dance floor. It’s no surprise that the youth of that era coined numerous slang terms to celebrate their dancefloor prowess.
The origin of “Oliver Twist” as a term for a skilled dancer remains unclear, though the word “twist” offers a clue. Many dance-related phrases from that time emerged from the Jazz Age, a golden era for jazz music in America and beyond. This vibrant subculture gave rise to countless expressions, such as “cool cat,” “cut a rug,” and “Oliver Twist.” Let’s admit it: the partygoers of the 1920s were far cooler than we are today.
8. Wooden Nickels
Recall how we mentioned earlier in the “know your onions” explanation that we’d revisit the topic of money? Well, here we are, diving into the peculiar phrase “wooden nickels.” One of the oddest expressions from the 1920s—still occasionally used by older generations today—revolves around these wooden coins. Back then, if you were heading out for a night on the town or embarking on an adventure, your parents might warn you, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.” Confusing, right?
The phrase essentially meant avoiding foolish behavior. Accepting wooden nickels symbolized being tricked or swindled. If you stayed sharp and avoided trouble, you wouldn’t fall prey to these so-called wooden nickel scammers who seemed to be everywhere. So, if you want to caution someone against making poor choices, tell them not to take any wooden nickels. Then, watch their puzzled reaction as they try to process your advice!
7. Wurp & Bluenose
Here’s a two-for-one deal on slang terms, both related to people who ruin the fun. While “Debbie Downer” wasn’t a term in the 1920s (and “Debbie” might not have even been a common name back then), people still had plenty of words to describe those who drained the joy out of any situation. Sound familiar? These terms are just as relevant today as they were back then.
In the 1920s, a “wurp” referred to someone who thrived on being a buzzkill. You’d approach them with enthusiasm, only to have your spirits crushed. Similarly, a “bluenose” was used to describe a wet blanket—someone who couldn’t resist spoiling a good time. These terms perfectly capture the kind of people who love to rain on parades. Womp womp!
6. Bimbo
Did you know the term “bimbo” originally referred to men? It wasn’t associated with a bread company or the modern meaning we know today. In the early 20th century, the word “bimbo” made its way to America from Italy. Stemming from the Italian word for a baby boy, it evolved into slang for a menacing, aggressive bully. How did a term for a baby boy become synonymous with a bully? Perhaps it’s because bullies are often stocky, much like a chubby baby. The exact reason remains a mystery, but that’s how it entered the English language.
The term gained popularity in the early 1900s and peaked during the Roaring Twenties, used to describe men who were overly mean or pushy. Instead of calling someone a “bully,” they’d call them a “bimbo.” It’s hard to imagine today, given the word’s current usage, but that’s how it was back then. Can you picture it? Then, everything shifted.
In 1920, a song titled “My Little Bimbo Down on the Bamboo Isle” was written for a Broadway play. This song didn’t reference a brutish man but rather a curvaceous, attractive woman. Over time, the term “bimbo” evolved alongside the song’s popularity. The transition from a male-focused term to a female one didn’t happen overnight—it took decades. But eventually, long after the 1920s, the meaning changed entirely. Today, it’s unlikely we’ll ever return to the original definition of “bimbo” as it was used a century ago.
5. Manacle & Handcuff
Here’s another two-for-one deal, but this time, let’s dive into slang terms related to love and marriage! The 1920s, like many decades before it, had its own take on relationships and commitment. However, the Roaring Twenties were such a wild, party-filled era that they marked the first time in modern American history when the institution of marriage began to show cracks. For the first time, people—whether joking or not—started to view marriage as being shackled to the “old ball and chain.” This trope later became a staple in television sitcoms, often to great comedic effect.
Here’s what we’re getting at: two popular anti-marriage phrases emerged during the 1920s, often used in a lighthearted manner. The first was “manacle,” which technically means a shackle or bond. In the ’20s, it symbolized being tied down by a wedding ring—essentially, being locked into marriage.
But that wasn’t the only term. The 1920s also gave us “handcuff,” which referred to locking someone down with an engagement ring, setting the stage for marriage. It almost sounds like no one in the ’20s was a fan of tying the knot!
4. Tell It to Sweeney
The phrase “tell it to Sweeney” was a popular 1920s expression meaning “tell it to someone naive enough to believe it.” It’s a curious reference—who was Sweeney, and was he really that gullible? The origins trace back to the British Navy in the early 1800s, though it wasn’t about Sweeney back then. Sailors would say, “Tell it to the Marines,” implying that Marines were gullible or foolish. If someone tried to deceive a fellow sailor, they’d respond with, “Tell it to the Marines.” Over time, the phrase evolved into its 1920s version.
The phrase was so widely used in 19th-century Britain that it appeared in Lord Byron’s poem “The Island” and Sir Walter Scott’s novel “Redgauntlet.” By the late 1800s, however, it evolved. Possibly to tease their Irish acquaintances—or rivals—the British coined the new version, “tell it to Sweeney.” Why Sweeney? It was one of several stereotypical Irish names, like Murphy, Kelly, O’Brien, O’Connor, Sullivan, Walsh, and Sweeney, that the British often mocked.
The phrase eventually crossed the Atlantic in the early 20th century. Americans quickly adopted it, embracing its meaning. The wave of Irish immigrants to the U.S. likely helped popularize the phrase, which carried a subtle anti-Irish undertone. By the 1920s, “Tell it to Sweeney” had become a popular saying along the East Coast, especially among young people. However, like most slang, its popularity eventually waned. Farewell, Sweeney!
3. Icy Mitt
Let’s end our list on a slightly somber note. Imagine you’re a confident young man in the 1920s, and you’ve taken a liking to a girl. You muster the courage to ask her out, dressing in your finest attire and grooming yourself to perfection. You approach her, only to be met with rejection. Back then, there was a term for that experience: getting the “icy mitt.”
This vivid phrase described the moment when someone expressed romantic interest, only to have their feelings unreturned. It was akin to receiving the cold shoulder, or in modern terms, being “friend-zoned.” Essentially, it symbolized rejection. You put yourself out there, hoping for the best, but ended up with the “icy mitt.” Oh well—no handcuff or manacle for you this time. Better save up your mazuma and move on to someone new. After all, you wouldn’t want to be a bluenose, would you?
2. Mazuma
Who doesn’t adore cash? You know, money! Whether you call it greenbacks, cheddar, cheese, or scrilla, everyone has their favorite term for moolah. (Wait, do kids these days even use cash? Or are they all about digital currencies like Bitcoin? Are we showing our age with these questions? Hmm, maybe. Stay off our lawns! Anyway, we’re getting off track…)
Since the dawn of money, slang terms for it have existed. Each generation invents new, playful words to describe cash, and the 1920s were no exception. Given the era’s economic boom (before the Great Depression, of course), money was on everyone’s mind.
The 1920s had plenty of slang for cash, but “mazuma” was undoubtedly the standout. It could be used casually, just like modern money-related terms. For example: Let’s head to the bank and grab some mazuma. Or, let’s bet some mazuma on the horses at the track today. Honestly, this slang term is fantastic. Let’s revive it!
1. Iron Your Shoelaces
There are countless amusing phrases people use to subtly excuse themselves from a dinner table, party, or gathering to visit the restroom. One of our favorites is the classic, “I have to go see a man about a horse.” It’s delightfully absurd in today’s world, making it perfect for eliciting puzzled looks as you slip away. In the 1920s, they had their own quirky phrase for the same situation: “I need to go iron my shoelaces.”
This phrase is just as whimsical as any other bathroom-related euphemism and serves the same purpose. It allows you to discreetly indicate that you need to use the restroom without being overly explicit. Let’s embrace a bit of tact in the 2020s and adopt phrases like “iron your shoelaces” when discussing such matters. Society will undoubtedly appreciate the subtlety.
