1930s

/HOH-boh/

Migrant worker riding rails

Origin: Late 1800s American

"A hobo camp sprang up by the tracks."

/juh-LOP-ee/

Beat-up old car

Origin: 1920s–30s American

"My jalopy barely made it to Tulsa."

/HOO-vuhr-vil/

Shantytown of the unemployed

Origin: Mocking President Herbert Hoover

"He's been living in the Hooverville for months."

/swel/

Wonderful

Origin: 19th c., huge in 30s–40s

"Gee, that's swell of you!"

/skram/

Leave quickly

Origin: 1920s, possibly from 'scramble'

"Scram, kid, this is grown-up talk."

/big cheez/

Important person

Origin: 1920s, popular 30s

"He's the big cheese at the bank now."

/dol/

Attractive woman or kind person

Origin: 1930s American

"Thanks, doll, you saved my life."

/eg/

A person (usually 'good egg' or 'bad egg')

Origin: Early 20th c.

"He's a good egg, you can trust him."

/AYSS in thuh HOHL/

A hidden advantage or a resource kept in reserve for an emergency.

Origin: Early 20th-century poker parlance that peaked in popularity during the 1930s.

"I've got an ace in the hole if the landlord tries to evict us."

/on thuh ANG-kuhl/

To leave, walk away, or flee a location.

Origin: 1930s underworld and detective slang derived from the physical act of walking.

"The feds put a tail on him, so he's on the ankle."

/AP-uhl nok-er/

An unsophisticated person from a rural area, particularly a farmhand.

Origin: 1930s slang referring to the manual labor of harvesting apples.

"The copper checked my papers to see if I was an apple-knocker from the sticks."

/BEER flat/

An illegal or unlicensed establishment where alcohol is sold in a private residence.

Origin: Prohibition-era holds-over that became common in tenement housing during the Depression.

"The boys went to the beer flat to forget about the bread line for a few hours."

/BLOO koht/

A police officer.

Origin: A reference to the standard navy blue color of American police uniforms.

"Step on it, the blue coat is right on our bumper!"

/BOY-ler may-ker/

A tough, strong man or a brawler.

Origin: Derived from the heavy labor associated with making steam boilers in the early 20th century.

"You better watch out, he's a real boiler-maker when he gets angry."

/BOO-guhl-dee-butt/

Low-class, clumsy, or unrefined.

Origin: 1930s African American vernacular that entered the jazz scene.

"The party was full of bums and boogle-de-butt dancers."

/KAB-ij/

Paper money or cash.

Origin: A reference to the green color of U.S. banknotes, popularized in the 1930s.

"I'm down to my last Lincoln, so I need to find a way to make some cabbage."

/DAN-der/

One's temper or anger.

Origin: 19th-century term that saw heavy colloquial usage during the stresses of the 1930s.

"Don't get your dander up, I was only joking."

/DOOSS/

Two dollars.

Origin: Gambling and street slang originating from the French word 'deux'.

"I need ten deuce to pay off the bookie by Friday."

/DISH/

A physically attractive woman.

Origin: 1930s American slang likening attractiveness to something "tasty" to look at.

"That new singer is a real dish, isn't she?"

/DIZ-ee HAT/

A confusing or deceptive answer; doublespeak.

Origin: Mid-1930s street slang for someone trying to "spin" a situation.

"The grifter gave me a dizzy hat when I asked for my change back."

/FIN/

A five-dollar bill.

Origin: Yiddish 'finf' meaning five, widespread in 1930s urban centers.

"I spent my last fin on a steak dinner for the missus."

/FLIM-flam-er/

A con artist or someone who practices petty deception.

Origin: Late 19th-century term that became a standard descriptor for Depression-era scammers.

"The boss is a real flim-flammer, always shorting our paychecks."

/FLIKS/

The police or a police officer.

Origin: Derived from the French 'flic', adopted by American noir and crime culture in the 30s.

"He had to blow town before the flics caught up to him."

/FRAYM/

The human physique or body, usually referring to an attractive woman.

Origin: 1930s Hollywood and street slang focused on physical structure.

"She's got a nice frame on her, no wonder she's in the movies."

/FRAYL/

A girl or a woman.

Origin: Early 20th-century slang that became staple hardboiled/noir dialogue in the 30s.

"I don't know who she is, she's just some frail from the South Side."

/hit thuh HAY/

To go to bed or go to sleep.

Origin: Referring to mattresses originally stuffed with hay or straw.

"I'm going to hit the hay, I've got a long shift at the mill tomorrow."

/EYE-ern HOOF/

Lies, chatter, or "baloney."

Origin: Rhyming slang (Iron Hoof = Poof/Goof) that evolved into general dismissive slang.

"Listen, sister, don't give me any of your iron hoof."

/JAM-wag-uhn/

A car used for pleasure trips or a party-goer's vehicle.

Origin: 1930s youth and jazz culture referring to a vehicle full of people.

"He wore a sharp zoot suit to the jam-wagon on Saturday night."

/JOOSS-joynt/

A low-quality or makeshift repair/item.

Origin: Derived from 'juice joints' (illegal bars) which often had shoddy equipment.

"The radiator is leaking, it's just a bunch of juice-joint junk."

/KILL-er DILL-er/

Something or someone that is impressive, exciting, or wonderful.

Origin: African American swing and jazz slang of the late 1930s.

"She's a real killer-diller on the dance floor."

/MITS/

Hands.

Origin: A shortened form of 'mittens,' used widely in boxing and street slang.

"Keep your mitts off the merchandise unless you're buying."

/MOWTH-peess/

A lawyer, especially a criminal defense attorney.

Origin: Slang for someone who speaks on behalf of another, common in 30s crime films.

"Stop that mouth-piece work and tell me the truth."

/on thuh UP-and-UP/

Legitimate, honest, or legal.

Origin: Late 19th-century term that became the standard reassurance against Depression-era scams.

"Everything is on the up-and-up with this business deal."

/PAR-ler PAN-ther/

A man who is smooth with women or a "ladiesman."

Origin: 1930s social slang for men who frequented drawing rooms and parlors.

"He's a real parlor panther, always charming the ladies at these mixers."

/PIP-skweek/

Something small, insignificant, or a person of no importance.

Origin: Early 20th-century WWI slang that transitioned to civilian use for small rewards.

"I'll give you a pipsqueak of a raise if you work through Christmas."

/PIK-uhl/

A difficult or troublesome situation.

Origin: 16th-century origins, but saw a massive resurgence in 1930s colloquial speech.

"He was in a real pickle after he lost his job and his apartment."

/RITS/

Pretentious behavior or high-class airs.

Origin: Derived from the Ritz-Carlton hotels, popularized by the 1929 song 'Puttin' on the Ritz'.

"Don't give me any of that ritz, you're no better than the rest of us."

/RUM-buhl/

A fight, a disturbance, or a piece of news/gossip.

Origin: 1930s gang slang for a conflict between groups.

"What's the rumble in the alley about?"

/keep yer SHERT on/

To be patient or to calm down.

Origin: Refers to taking one's shirt off to fight; staying calm means keeping the shirt on.

"Keep your shirt on, I'm coming as fast as I can!"

/SHIV-erz/

The act of frightening someone or giving them the "third degree."

Origin: 1930s slang for police intimidation tactics.

"The cops took him to the station to give him the shivers."

/SHUK/

A trick, a fake, or something worthless.

Origin: From "shucking" corn; the outer shell is worthless once the meat is gone.

"The whole thing was a shuck and we fell for it."

/SING-ing/

To confess or to inform on others to the police.

Origin: Underworld slang for "making music" for the authorities.

"He was singing to the cops before they even got him to the station."

/SLUSH-buk-et/

A milkshake or a soft drink.

Origin: 1930s soda fountain slang.

"Let's go to the drug store and grab a slush-bucket."

/SOOP-hed/

A person who is stupid, dull-witted, or confused.

Origin: 1930s slang implying one's brain is made of soft soup.

"He thinks he's so smart, but he's just a soup-head."

/SAW-buk/

A ten-dollar bill.

Origin: Because the 'X' on the bill resembled a sawbuck (sawhorse).

"I'm going to spend my last sawbuck on a bottle of gin."

/TIN-pan HAT/

A cheap, ugly, or outdated hat.

Origin: Derisive slang for lower-quality fashion during the lean years.

"She was wearing a real tin-pan hat that looked like a bird's nest."

/WAWK-ing DEL-uh-gut/

A union representative or an agitator.

Origin: Labor movement slang that became common during the 1930s strikes.

"He's just a walking-delegate for the union, looking for trouble."

/GAN-der/

To take a look or investigate.

Origin: Likening the stretching of one's neck to see something to a goose (gander).

"I'm going to take a gander at the new Hudson model."

/AYBZ kayb/

A five-dollar bill; five dollars in cash

Origin: American Depression-era rhyming and pig-Latin slang, Abe Lincoln on the fiver

"He slipped the doorman an Abe's cabe and walked right past the velvet rope."

/AB-ur-krom-bee/

A know-it-all; someone with an unwanted opinion on everything

Origin: American 1930s slang, possibly from the retailer's image of affected sophistication

"Don't ask Whitfield — that Abercrombie will lecture you for an hour straight."

/AYS/

A dollar bill; one single dollar

Origin: American Depression-era slang, from card game terminology for the single unit

"All he had left in his pocket was an ace and a trolley token."

/ANK-ul-by-tur/

A small child; a young child underfoot

Origin: American vernacular of the 1930s, children being at ankle height and prone to biting

"The relief line was full of mothers with ankle-biters on their hips."

/AP-ul/

A fellow; a man, particularly a stylish one from the city

Origin: American jazz-age and swing-era slang carried into the 1930s from Harlem vernacular

"That apple over by the bar has been watching us since the second set."

/BANG-tayl/

A racehorse; a horse with a docked or bushy tail

Origin: American racetrack slang, the swishing tail of a horse at full gallop

"He lost his last three dollars betting on a sorry bangtail at Belmont."

/BEE-zur/

The nose; a person's prominent facial protrusion

Origin: American slang of uncertain origin, in wide use through the 1930s for the nose

"The cop took a right hook square on the beezer and went down hard."

/BIG HOWS/

A state or federal penitentiary; prison

Origin: American criminal underworld slang for a large correctional institution

"He did five years in the Big House and came out a quieter man."

/bloh wonz TOP/

To lose control; to become furious; to explode in anger

Origin: American vernacular of the 1930s, as a pressure vessel blowing its lid from heat

"The foreman blew his top when he saw the whole batch had been ruined."

/BOOB TOOB/

An early radio set; an entertainment device for passive listeners

Origin: American Depression-era slang, applied to radio before later television association

"He sat by the boob tube all evening listening to the fight broadcast."

/BRED/

Money; cash needed to survive day to day

Origin: American vernacular, bread as the basic necessity of life equivalent to money

"He needed bread badly enough to take any work the relief office offered."

/BRAWD/

A woman; often an attractive or worldly woman

Origin: American slang, 1910s-1930s, origin debated; possibly from broad meaning wide-hipped

"Some broad in a red hat was asking around for you at the lunch counter."

/BRONKS CHEER/

A loud raspberry; a derisive sound of disapproval from the crowd

Origin: American sports slang from Yankee Stadium crowds in the Bronx, New York, 1920s-1930s

"The senator got a Bronx cheer from the audience the moment he took the podium."

/BROWND awf/

Disgusted; fed up; deeply irritated and frustrated

Origin: British military slang adopted in American usage, to be burned or browned by irritation

"She was browned off with the whole situation and handed in her notice."

/BUM RAP/

A false accusation; an unjust charge or punishment

Origin: American criminal slang, a rap being a charge, and a bum one being false

"He always said it was a bum rap and the real job man was never caught."

/KAY-pur/

A criminal scheme or robbery; an illegal undertaking

Origin: American underworld slang of the 1930s, from caper meaning a frolic or adventure

"The whole caper fell apart when the lookout got cold feet and ran."

/KAT/

A hip, jazz-loving person; a musician or fan of the swing scene

Origin: African-American jazz slang from Harlem, widely adopted by the swing era of the 1930s

"Every cat in Harlem knew where to find the after-hours session."

/CHEE-turz/

Eyeglasses; spectacles worn to correct one's vision

Origin: American 1930s slang implying glasses give the wearer an unfair visual advantage

"He squinted at the menu before remembering his cheaters were in his coat."

/KLAM/

A dollar; one dollar in Depression-era currency

Origin: American slang for a dollar coin, origin uncertain but widely used in the 1930s

"I need two clams for the room or I am sleeping on the park bench again."

/KONK/

The head; to strike someone on the head

Origin: American and British slang for the head or nose, extended to a blow upon it

"He conked his head on the low beam and saw stars for half an hour."

/KRUM/

A despicable, worthless, or contemptible person

Origin: American Depression-era slang, someone as insignificant and lowly as a bread crumb

"That crumb took the last of the coal money and didn't leave so much as a note."

/DANG-ul/

To hang around without purpose; to loiter suspiciously

Origin: American street and underworld slang, one who dangles near a scene without cause

"Those two have been dangling around the pawnshop since morning."

/DED HOOF-ur/

A terrible dancer; one who has no rhythm or grace

Origin: American swing-era slang, a hoofer being a dancer and dead being without any life

"Keep that dead hoofer off the floor — he nearly broke Dorothy's ankle."

/dih-NAIR-oh/

Money; cash; funds needed for any transaction

Origin: American slang from Spanish dinero meaning money, in use among urban populations

"No dinero, no dinner — that is the rule of the road, friend."

/DISH/

An attractive woman; a beautiful and appealing girl

Origin: American slang of the 1930s, a tasty dish being something desirable and appealing

"Who is that dish behind the perfume counter? I have been back four times."

/DYV/

A low-class bar, club, or establishment; a disreputable joint

Origin: American slang from the dive meaning to descend to a lower place, in use by 1930s

"He played every dive from Chicago to St. Louis before catching his break."

/DOHP/

News or information; inside knowledge about a situation

Origin: American vernacular, dope as a substance that gives you a lift — information does the same

"Give me the straight dope — is the factory hiring or not?"

/FAYD/

To leave quietly; to disappear from a scene without being noticed

Origin: American underworld and swing slang, fading into the background to avoid attention

"When the law showed up, three of the card players faded into the alley."

/FIN/

A five-dollar bill; five dollars

Origin: American slang from Yiddish finf meaning five, widely used in Depression-era America

"He slid a fin across the counter and the clerk suddenly remembered everything."

/FLOP-hows/

A very cheap rooming house for transients and hobos

Origin: American slang, a place where one flops down for a minimal overnight fee

"The men huddled in the flophouse doorway, waiting for the ten-cent beds."

/JEE-man/

A Federal Bureau of Investigation agent; a federal detective

Origin: American 1930s slang, G standing for government, popularized during FBI crime fights

"The G-men were already waiting when the gang arrived at the warehouse."

/GAT/

A pistol; a revolver; any handheld firearm

Origin: American underworld slang shortened from Gatling gun, used widely in 1930s crime circles

"The bodyguard reached for his gat but the man was already out the door."

/GAY KAT/

A young or inexperienced hobo; a new tramp on the road

Origin: American hobo slang of the 1930s, an apprentice itinerant learning the ways of the rails

"The gay cat had only been riding freights for a month and it showed."

/GLAD HAND/

An effusively warm but insincere handshake or greeting

Origin: American political and social slang, glad-handing being professional insincerity

"The candidate glad-handed his way down the soup line without meaning a word."

/GOON/

A thug hired to intimidate or do violence; a brutal enforcer

Origin: American slang from the comic character Alice the Goon, popularized in the early 1930s

"The union busters sent a squad of goons to the picket line at dawn."

/GREES/

A bribe; money paid for illegal cooperation

Origin: American underworld slang, grease being what makes the wheels of corruption turn

"A little grease to the dock foreman and the whole shipment disappeared."

/HEP/

Aware of and knowledgeable about what is current and stylish

Origin: American jazz slang of the 1930s, predecessor to hip, meaning tuned in

"She was the most hep girl in the room — knew every tune before the first bar."

/HOT SKWOT/

The electric chair; execution by electrocution

Origin: American 1930s criminal slang for the feared instrument of capital punishment

"He said he would sooner come clean than end up on the hot squat."

/INK-sling-ur/

A writer; a journalist; any person who works with a pen

Origin: American hobo and Depression-era slang for clerks and writers of any kind

"The inkslinger at the camp newsletter wrote up the story of the march."

/JING-ul braynz/

A scatterbrained person; someone with a head full of noise

Origin: American 1930s vernacular for someone who cannot think straight or focus

"Don't ask jingle brains for directions — she got lost on her own street."

/JUNG-ul/

A hobo camp; a makeshift settlement of transients near a rail yard

Origin: American Depression-era hobo slang for the rough encampments outside towns

"They made a fire in the jungle and shared a pot of mulligan stew."

/NOK-oh-vur/

A robbery; to rob a bank or establish in underworld terms

Origin: American gangster slang of the 1930s, to knock a place over meaning to rob it

"The gang pulled three knockovers in one week before the heat came down."

/LET-us/

Paper money; folding currency; bills of any denomination

Origin: American slang, paper money being green like lettuce leaves, widely used by 1930s

"He fanned out a roll of lettuce and the landlord's mood improved immediately."

/MUG-ur/

A street criminal who robs victims by force

Origin: American criminal slang from mug meaning face, one who gets in the victim's face

"Three muggers worked that alley until the precinct added a night patrol."

/MUL-ih-gun/

A stew made from whatever scraps are available; hobo soup

Origin: American hobo slang for the communal pot stew made from donated or scavenged food

"Someone had carrots and someone had a bone, so they made a fine mulligan."

/NIKS/

Nothing; no; a refusal or vetoing of a suggestion

Origin: American slang from German nichts meaning nothing, in wide use by the 1930s

"Nix on the card game tonight — the landlady is listening at every door."

/on thuh BUM/

Living as a vagrant; down and out with no fixed income

Origin: American Depression-era slang, on the bum meaning destitute and wandering

"He had been on the bum since the mill closed and showed no signs of stopping."

/SACH-ul mowth/

A person with a very large mouth; also a nickname for Louis Armstrong

Origin: American jazz slang, a satchel being a bag large enough to hold an enormous mouth

"When satchel mouth hit that high C, the whole house went absolutely silent."

/SKRAM/

To leave in a hurry; to get out fast when danger approaches

Origin: American underworld slang, possibly from scramble, to flee a dangerous situation quickly

"Scram, the both of you, before the foreman comes back around the corner."

/SHNOOK/

A naive, easily cheated, or timid and unimportant person

Origin: American Yiddish-origin slang, a pitiable and harmless simpleton

"That schnook paid double for a suit that was not even his size."

/SWING SHIFT/

A work shift running from the afternoon into the late night

Origin: American industrial slang formalizing the mid-day to late-night labor period in factories

"She worked the swing shift at the defense plant and slept through most mornings."

/tayk it on thuh CHIN/

To endure hardship bravely; to accept defeat with dignity

Origin: American boxing-derived expression, absorbing a blow to the chin without going down

"The whole neighborhood took it on the chin when the relief checks stopped."