American Slang to Family Stories

As you gather information on your ancestors and even do a bit of writing short stories about a specific branch or relative, keep in mind the time period they lived in. You will include about historical events that may have affected their lives but one item you may have not thought of – the American slang phrases that ancestor used during their life.

Yes, various slang terms were used quite commonly, just like certain phrases or terms today. You will what to learn some of these phrases and see where you can place them in a write-up on a certain family living during a specific time.

This online site has about 88 American slang terms and phrases and what they mean for the 20^th century. True slang terms were used in the 19^th century but right here are some for your more current ancestors.

Examples include:

1900-1909

Hanging – referred to something being excellent – great quality.

1910-1919

Duck Soup – something very easy to achieve or complete.

1920-1929

Orchid – an item that was expensive or costly.

1930-1939

Eggs in Coffee – Things are running smoothly.

1940-1949

Cook with gas – doing an event or chore perfect, just right.

1950-1959

Ankle-biter – referred to a youngster, a child.

1960-1969

Five Finger Discount – to steal an item from a store

1970-1979

What a fry – any person or thing that is weird or crazy.

1980-1989

Bag your face – the person is ugly, they need to cover their face.

1990-1999

Cheddar – referred to cash or money.

Some interesting phrases here.

Photos: 1900 Fashions; teen boys in 1925 and lady’s fashions in 1955.

Related FamilyTree.com Blogs:

Slang of the 1950s

Forgotten 19th Century Slang

Funny Things Your Ancestors Said

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