We know you’ll find plenty of ways to fit in around these parts.
But surely, knowing a little of the lingo would help. Here’s a 1920s glossary to help you get with the times.

Ankle to walk

Applesauce nonsense

Bearcat spirited, strong woman

​

Berries the best

Bee's knees also the best

​

Bluenose prude or a killjoy

​

Cancelled stamp shy, lonely person

Cash kiss, a smooch

​

Cheaters glasses or bifocals

​

Clams a dollar; see also kale, mazuma, and voot

​

Dewdropper unemployed person who sleeps all day

​

“Don’t take any wooden nickels!”   

“Don’t do anything dumb!”

​

Ducky very good

​

Egg man; "he's a funny egg"

​

Fire extinguisher  a chaperone

Gams legs; also pins, stilts, & getaway sticks

​

Gasper cigarette

​

Giggle water a phrase for alcohol

​

“Go chase yourself!” “Get out of here!”

​

Handcuff an engagement or wedding ring; also known as a manacle

​

Hayburner car that guzzles gas, or a losing horse

​

Hotsy totsy perfect

“I have to go see a man about a dog”

to go buy a drink

​

Icy mitt amorous rejection, as in: “He got the icy mitt”

​

Iron one's shoelaces a way to excuse oneself to the restroom

​

Jake okay, fine; " everything's jake" Kale money

Know your onions to know what's going on, staying up-to-date with the latest news

​

“Let's blouse” “we're out of here”

​

Manacle a wedding ring

Mrs. Grundy a straight-laced person

​

Noodle juice tea

​

Oliver Twist talented dancer

​

On a toot inebriated

​

Petting pantry a movie theater/cinema

​

Phonus balonus a way to say, "That's nonsense!"

​

“Rhatz!” "How disappointing!"

​

Rub dance party

Sinker a doughnut

​

Sockdolager an event or action of great importance

​

“Tell It to Sweeney!” “I don’t believe you!”

​

Upstage snobby, arrogant

Voot money

​

Zozzled inebriated