1970s

/jyv TUR-kee/

Person full of nonsense

Origin: African American slang, mainstream mid-70s

"Don't listen to that jive turkey."

/ryt on/

I agree; expression of approval

Origin: Civil rights era

"Right on, brother!"

/BOO-gee/

Dance; have a good time

Origin: 1929 jazz, disco revival

"Let's boogie down at the club."

/kach yoo on thuh flip syd/

See you later

Origin: DJ/radio slang for B-side of records

"Gotta split — catch you on the flip side."

/FOK-see/

Attractive

Origin: African American slang, 70s mainstream

"She's one foxy lady."

/DY-no-myt/

Excellent! (catchphrase)

Origin: Popularized by 'Good Times' TV show

"Dy-no-mite! Look at those threads!"

/keep on TRUK-in/

Persevere

Origin: R. Crumb comic 1968, mainstream 70s

"Tough week, but keep on truckin'."

/shag/

A dance; or a haircut

Origin: 1970s

"I'm getting a shag at the salon."

/WAHTS yer HAND-uhl/

An inquiry or statement about one's current occupation, situation, or state of mind.

Origin: African American Vernacular English (AAVE) popularized in 1970s soul and funk culture.

"Are you still working that retail job, or is that over?"

/TAYK uh POW-der/

To leave quickly or depart a location, often to avoid trouble or responsibility.

Origin: Mid-20th century slang that saw a resurgence in 1970s detective and street culture.

"I'm going to take a powder before the boss catches me sitting around."

/DEK/

A person who is perceived as a loser, socially inept, or uncool.

Origin: Shortened version of 'deckwood' or 'deck-hand,' commonly used in 1970s high school subcultures.

"I can't believe he wore those polyester pants; what a total deck."

/CHOYS/

Highly desirable, high quality, or excellent.

Origin: Surfer and skater culture of Southern California, spreading nationally by the mid-70s.

"That gold chain is choice, man, where did you get it?"

/BRIK/

An incredibly boring, dull, or socially awkward person.

Origin: College campus slang referring to someone as dense or unmoving as a piece of masonry.

"Don't let that guy in, he's a real brick."

/koh-pah-SET-ik/

Excellent, in good order, or satisfactory.

Origin: Early 20th century AAVE that saw a massive mainstream revival in 1970s jazz and funk circles.

"Everything is copacetic now that the band started playing."

/HEH-vee HIT-er/

An important, influential, or wealthy person.

Origin: Corporate and street slang referring to someone who makes a large impact.

"He thinks he's a real heavy hitter because he bought a Porsche."

/SIT on IT/

A dismissive or rude way to tell someone to be quiet or go away.

Origin: Popularized heavily by the 1970s television show 'Happy Days.'

"Sit on it, Potsie!"

/THREDS/

Clothing or an outfit, usually referring to stylish or expensive garments.

Origin: Jazz era slang that remained a staple of 1970s disco and urban culture.

"Check out those threads on the dance floor!"

/CHIL owt/

To relax, calm down, or spend time doing nothing in particular.

Origin: African American Vernacular English that crossed over into mainstream youth culture in the mid-70s.

"I'm just going to chill out at home tonight and listen to records."

/HEH-vee/

Profound, serious, or emotionally weighted.

Origin: Counterculture slang from the late 60s that peaked in 1_970s stoner and hippy circles.

"Man, that's heavy, I never thought about life that way."

/SPLIT/

To depart or leave a place immediately.

Origin: 1950s beatnik slang that became a standard part of the 1970s vernacular.

"I gotta split before the cops show up."

/BRED麻/

Money.

Origin: Rhyming slang ('bread and honey') used in jazz culture and popularized in the 1970s.

"Man, that's some serious bread you're spending on that car."

/SKUFF滋/

To move fast, hurry, or dance energetically.

Origin: A term originating in the northern soul and ballroom scenes of the early 1970s.

"You better scuff if you want to make it to the club before midnight."

/TUR-kee/

An inept, foolish, or unstylish person.

Origin: Urban slang used to describe someone who lacks 'cool.'

"Look at that turkey trying to do the Hustle."

/FLAYK滋/

An unreliable person who frequently cancels plans or is eccentric.

Origin: Derived from the idea of someone being 'flaky' or falling apart like a croissant.

"Don't be such a flake, show up to the party on time."

/OWT uv SYT滋/

Incredible, amazing, or visually stunning.

Origin: 1960s soul music culture that remained highly popular through the disco era.

"That new disco track is really out of sight!"

/KEE-pin on KEE-pin on滋/

To persevere or continue doing what one is doing despite difficulties.

Origin: Popularized by the 1971 Curtis Mayfield song of the same name.

"Don't let him get you down, just keep on keepin' on."

/DIG it滋/

To understand, appreciate, or enjoy something.

Origin: Early 20th century AAVE that became a dominant catchphrase in 70s cinema and music.

"Hey man, can you dig it?"

/DRAG滋/

Something that is tedious, disappointing, or annoying.

Origin: 1950s bohemian slang that stayed common throughout the 1970s.

"That movie was so boring, it was a total drag."