“That yoot is bad news. He’s a dipstick – gives me the cooties. He can DDT. Let’s cut out and find a boss bash.”
As an official Boomer, may I interpret the above?
“The youngster – obviously an underclassman – is an idiot and a depressing individual. As far as I’m concerned, he can drop dead – twice! It’s time to leave and find a real party.”
Each generation has its own language and Boomer teens were no different. Highly influenced by fast cars and maintaining total cool at all times, young Boomers created a vocabulary all their own, and interestingly, many of the terms are still in use today.
To be in “fat city”, for example, was to be in great shape”. A “drag” was an extremely boring individual. The “fuzz” were policeman and an “old lady” was your mother.
Fifty years ago, you may have heard a soliloquy like this.
“Daddy-O, don’t have a cow, even though your DA is a little grody, you’re still a cat. Let’s burn rubber and take in a flick. But I’m a little skinny. Got any bread? I got dibs.”
The above was “Boomer” for:
“Hey fellow, don’t lose your self control, and even though your ducktail haircut is not what it should be, you’re still a person to be reckoned with. I suggest we take your car, start it up and accelerate to the degree that the tires leave marks in the pavement, and go to a movie. However, I am a little low on funds. Could you lend me some? By the way, I’d like to ride in the front seat on the passenger’s side.”
For Boomers, a “wet rag”, a “drip” and a “party pooper” were terms describing someone who was no fun at all.
A “panty waist” was a mama’s boy, a nerd. The word “bad” meant “cool”. For example, “that was a bad move on the dance floor.”
Some of the words used to describe coolness were “fab”, “far out”, “outta sight”, and “choice”.
Phrases and words that described something better than just good were “like crazy”, “like wow”, “a gas” and “gone.”
“Blitzed” and “loaded” meant you might have had too many “Brewski’s”.
“Cherry, golden and copasetic” were terms describing complete perfection and “the word from the bird” meant the complete truth.
A “passion pit” was a drive-in movie, “to kill” was to really impress and “peepers” were eyeglasses.
Concerning automobiles, “all show and no go” described cars that looked fast, but really weren’t. A “hunk of junk” was a car that wouldn’t run at all and “birth control seats” was one way of describing the new fangled bucket seats.
“I got the royal shaft and now I’m frosted” meant I was treated unfairly and I’m very angry. “Gimme some skin” meant “how about a high five?”
“Lay it on me” meant tell me all about it and “on the make” described someone who had recently broken up with his or her steady. To “scarf” was to eat very fast and to “barf” was to regurgitate. “Oh, barf!” was a phrase used to describe total dissatisfaction.
“Cruisin’ for a bruising” was someone looking for trouble while getting a “wet lily” meant you had just had a moistened finger put in your ear. It was almost as bad as getting “a Melvin”(a wedgie).
“Far out, flat top, greaser, spaz, deuce coupe and wet rag.”
If somehow these words and terms sound completely reasonable, you just might be a Boomer.