As in The Flapper, July 1922
Absent Treatment- Dancing with bashful partner.
Airedale- A homely man.
Alarm Clock- Chaperon.
Anchor- Box of flowers.
Apple knocker- A hick, a hay-shaker.
Apple Sauce- Flattery; bunk.
Barlow- A girl, a flapper, a chicken.
Bank's Closed- No petting allowed; no kisses.
Barneymugging- Lovemaking.
Bee's Knees- See Cat's Particulars.
Bell Polisher- A young man addicted to lingering in the vestibule at 1 a.m.
Bean Picker- One who patches up trouble and picks up spilled beans.
Berry Patch- A man's particular interest in a girl.
Berries- Great.
Biscuit- A pettable flapper.
Big Timer (n. masc.)- A charmer able to convince his sweetie that a jollier thing would be to get a snack in an arm-chair lunchroom; a romantic.
Billboard- Flashy man or woman.
Blushing Violet- A publicity hound.
Blouse- To go.
Blow- Wild party.
Blaah- No good.
Boob Tickler- Girl who entertains father's out-of-town customers.
Brush Ape- Anyone from the sticks, a country jake.
Brooksy- Classy dresser.
Bust- A man who makes his living in the prize ring, a pugilist.
Bun Duster- See Cake Eater
Bush Hounds- Rustics and others outside of the Flapper pale.
Cancelled Stamp- A wall flower.
Cake Basket- A limousine.
Cake Eater- See Crumb Gobbler.
Cat's Particulars- The acme of perfection; anything that's good.
Cat's Pajamas- Anything that's good.
Cellar Smeller- A young man who always turns up where liquor is to be had without cost.
Clothesline- One who tells neighborhood secrets.
Corn Shredder- Young man who dances on a girl's feet.
Crepe Hanger- Reformer.
Crumb Gobbler- Slightly sissy tea hound.
Crasher- Anyone who comes to parties uninvited.
Crashing Party- Party where several young men in a group go uninvited.
Cuddle Cootie- Young man who takes a girl for a ride on a bus, gas wagon, or automobile.
Cuddler- One who likes petting.
Dapper- A flapper's father.
Dewdropper- Young man who does not work, and sleeps all day.
Dincher- A half-smoked cigaret.
Dingle Dangler- One who insists on telephoning.
Dipe Ducat- A subway ticket.
Dimbox- A taxicab.
Di Mi- Goodness.
Dogs- Feet.
Dog Kennels- Pair of shoes.
Dropping the Pilot- Getting a divorce.
Duck's Quack- The best thing ever.
Ducky- General term for approbation.
Dud- Wall flower.
Dudding Up- Dressing.
Dumbdora- Stupid girl.
Dumbell- Wall flower with little brains.
Dumkuff- General term for being "nutty" or "batty."
Edisoned- Being asked a lot of questions.
Egg Harbor- Free dance.
Embalmer- A bootlegger.
Eye Opener- A marriage.
Father Time- Any man over 30 years of age.
Face stretcher- Old maid who tries to look young.
Feathers- Light conversation.
Fire Extinguisher- A chaperone.
Finale Hopper- Young man who arrives after everything is paid for.
Fire Alarm- Divorced woman.
Fire Bell- Married woman.
Flap- Girl.
Flat Shoes- Fight between a Flapper and her Goof.
Fluky- Funny, odd, peculiar, different.
Flatwheeler- Flat shy of money; takes girls to free affairs.
Floorflusher- Inveterate dance hound.
Flour Lover- Girl who powders to freely.
Forty-Niner- Man who is prospecting for a rich wife.
Frog's Eyebrows- Nice, fine.
Gander- process of dudding up.
Green Glorious- Money and checks.
Gimlet- A chronic bore.
Given the Air- When a girl or fellow is thrown down on a date.
Give Your Knee- Cheek-to-cheek and toe-to-toe dancing.
Goofy- To be in love or attracted to. Example: I'm goofy about Jack.
Goat's Whisker's- See Cat's Particluars
Goof- Sweetie
Grummy- In the dumps, shades, or blues.
Grubber- One who always borrows cigarettes.
Handcuffs- Engagement ring.
Hen Coop- A beauty parlor.
His Blue Serge- His sweetheart.
Highjohn- Young man friend; sweetie, cutey, highboy.
Hopper- Dancer.
Houdini- To be on time for a date.
Horse Prancer- See Corn Shredder.
Hush Money- Allowance from father.
Jane- a girl who meets you on the stoop.
Johnnie Walker- Guy who never hires a cab.
Kitten's Ankles- See Cat's Particulars.
Kluck- Dumb, but happy.
Lap- Drink.
Lallygagger- A young man addicted to attempts at hallway spooning.
Lens Louise- A person given to monopolizing conversation.
Lemon squeezer- An elevator.
Low Lid- The opposite from high brow.
Mad Money- Carfare home if she has a fight with her escort.
Meringue- Personality.
Monkey's Eyebrows- See Cat's Particulars.
Monog- A young person of either sex who is "goofy" about only one person at a time.
Monologist- Young man who hates to talk about himself.
Mustard Plaster- Unwelcome guy who sticks around.
Munitions- Face powder and rouge.
Mug- To osculate or kiss.
Necker- A petter who puts her arms around a boy's neck.
Noodle Juice- Tea.
Nosebaggery- Restaurant.
Nut Cracker- Policeman's Nightstick.
Obituary Notice- Dunning letters.
Oilcan- An imposter.
Orchid- Anything that is expensive.
Out on Parole- A person who has been divorced.
Petting Pantry- A movie.
Petting Party- A party devoted to hugging.
Petter- A loveable person; one who enjoys to caress.
Pillow Case- Young man who is full of feathers.
Police Dog- Young man to whom one is engaged.
Potato- A young man shy of brains.
Ritzy Burg- Not classy.
Ritz- Stuck-up.
Rock of Ages- Any woman over 30 years of age.
Rug Hopper- Young man who never takes a girl out. A parlor hound.
Sap- A Flapper term for floorflusher.
Scandal- A short term for Scandal Walk.
Scandaler- A dance floor fullback. The interior of dreadnaught hat, Piccadilly suitings and shoes with open plumbing, size 13.
Seetie- Anybody a flapper hates.
Sharpshooter- One who spends well and dances much.
Shifter- Another species of a Flapper.
Show Case- Rich man's wife with her jewels.
Sip- Flapper term for female Hopper.
Slat- See Highjohn; Goof.
Slimp- Cheapskate or "one way guy."
Smith Brothers- Guys who never cough up.
Smoke Eater- A girl cigarette user.
Smooth- Guy who does not keep his word.
Snake- To call a victim with vampire arms.
Snugglepup- A man fond of petting and petting parties.
Sod Buster- An undertaker.
Stilts- Legs.
Stander- Victim of a female grafter.
Static- Conversation that means nothing.
Strike Breaker- A young woman who goes with her friend's "Steady" while there is a coolness.
Swan- Glide gracefully.
Tomato- A young woman shy of brains.
Trotzky- Old lady with mustache and chin whiskers.
Umbrella- Young man any girl can borrow for the evening.
Urban Set- Her new gown.
Walk In- Young man who goes to parties without being invited.
Weasel- Girl stealer.
Weed- Flapper who takes risks.
Weeping Willow- Same as Crape Hanger.
Whangdoodle- Jazz-band music.
Whiskbroom- Any man who wears whiskers.
Wind Sucker- Any person given to boasting.
Wurp- Killjoy or drawback.
Absent Treatment- Dancing with bashful partner.
Airedale- A homely man.
Alarm Clock- Chaperon.
Anchor- Box of flowers.
Apple knocker- A hick, a hay-shaker.
Apple Sauce- Flattery; bunk.
Barlow- A girl, a flapper, a chicken.
Bank's Closed- No petting allowed; no kisses.
Barneymugging- Lovemaking.
Bee's Knees- See Cat's Particulars.
Bell Polisher- A young man addicted to lingering in the vestibule at 1 a.m.
Bean Picker- One who patches up trouble and picks up spilled beans.
Berry Patch- A man's particular interest in a girl.
Berries- Great.
Biscuit- A pettable flapper.
Big Timer (n. masc.)- A charmer able to convince his sweetie that a jollier thing would be to get a snack in an arm-chair lunchroom; a romantic.
Billboard- Flashy man or woman.
Blushing Violet- A publicity hound.
Blouse- To go.
Blow- Wild party.
Blaah- No good.
Boob Tickler- Girl who entertains father's out-of-town customers.
Brush Ape- Anyone from the sticks, a country jake.
Brooksy- Classy dresser.
Bust- A man who makes his living in the prize ring, a pugilist.
Bun Duster- See Cake Eater
Bush Hounds- Rustics and others outside of the Flapper pale.
Cancelled Stamp- A wall flower.
Cake Basket- A limousine.
Cake Eater- See Crumb Gobbler.
Cat's Particulars- The acme of perfection; anything that's good.
Cat's Pajamas- Anything that's good.
Cellar Smeller- A young man who always turns up where liquor is to be had without cost.
Clothesline- One who tells neighborhood secrets.
Corn Shredder- Young man who dances on a girl's feet.
Crepe Hanger- Reformer.
Crumb Gobbler- Slightly sissy tea hound.
Crasher- Anyone who comes to parties uninvited.
Crashing Party- Party where several young men in a group go uninvited.
Cuddle Cootie- Young man who takes a girl for a ride on a bus, gas wagon, or automobile.
Cuddler- One who likes petting.
Dapper- A flapper's father.
Dewdropper- Young man who does not work, and sleeps all day.
Dincher- A half-smoked cigaret.
Dingle Dangler- One who insists on telephoning.
Dipe Ducat- A subway ticket.
Dimbox- A taxicab.
Di Mi- Goodness.
Dogs- Feet.
Dog Kennels- Pair of shoes.
Dropping the Pilot- Getting a divorce.
Duck's Quack- The best thing ever.
Ducky- General term for approbation.
Dud- Wall flower.
Dudding Up- Dressing.
Dumbdora- Stupid girl.
Dumbell- Wall flower with little brains.
Dumkuff- General term for being "nutty" or "batty."
Edisoned- Being asked a lot of questions.
Egg Harbor- Free dance.
Embalmer- A bootlegger.
Eye Opener- A marriage.
Father Time- Any man over 30 years of age.
Face stretcher- Old maid who tries to look young.
Feathers- Light conversation.
Fire Extinguisher- A chaperone.
Finale Hopper- Young man who arrives after everything is paid for.
Fire Alarm- Divorced woman.
Fire Bell- Married woman.
Flap- Girl.
Flat Shoes- Fight between a Flapper and her Goof.
Fluky- Funny, odd, peculiar, different.
Flatwheeler- Flat shy of money; takes girls to free affairs.
Floorflusher- Inveterate dance hound.
Flour Lover- Girl who powders to freely.
Forty-Niner- Man who is prospecting for a rich wife.
Frog's Eyebrows- Nice, fine.
Gander- process of dudding up.
Green Glorious- Money and checks.
Gimlet- A chronic bore.
Given the Air- When a girl or fellow is thrown down on a date.
Give Your Knee- Cheek-to-cheek and toe-to-toe dancing.
Goofy- To be in love or attracted to. Example: I'm goofy about Jack.
Goat's Whisker's- See Cat's Particluars
Goof- Sweetie
Grummy- In the dumps, shades, or blues.
Grubber- One who always borrows cigarettes.
Handcuffs- Engagement ring.
Hen Coop- A beauty parlor.
His Blue Serge- His sweetheart.
Highjohn- Young man friend; sweetie, cutey, highboy.
Hopper- Dancer.
Houdini- To be on time for a date.
Horse Prancer- See Corn Shredder.
Hush Money- Allowance from father.
Jane- a girl who meets you on the stoop.
Johnnie Walker- Guy who never hires a cab.
Kitten's Ankles- See Cat's Particulars.
Kluck- Dumb, but happy.
Lap- Drink.
Lallygagger- A young man addicted to attempts at hallway spooning.
Lens Louise- A person given to monopolizing conversation.
Lemon squeezer- An elevator.
Low Lid- The opposite from high brow.
Mad Money- Carfare home if she has a fight with her escort.
Meringue- Personality.
Monkey's Eyebrows- See Cat's Particulars.
Monog- A young person of either sex who is "goofy" about only one person at a time.
Monologist- Young man who hates to talk about himself.
Mustard Plaster- Unwelcome guy who sticks around.
Munitions- Face powder and rouge.
Mug- To osculate or kiss.
Necker- A petter who puts her arms around a boy's neck.
Noodle Juice- Tea.
Nosebaggery- Restaurant.
Nut Cracker- Policeman's Nightstick.
Obituary Notice- Dunning letters.
Oilcan- An imposter.
Orchid- Anything that is expensive.
Out on Parole- A person who has been divorced.
Petting Pantry- A movie.
Petting Party- A party devoted to hugging.
Petter- A loveable person; one who enjoys to caress.
Pillow Case- Young man who is full of feathers.
Police Dog- Young man to whom one is engaged.
Potato- A young man shy of brains.
Ritzy Burg- Not classy.
Ritz- Stuck-up.
Rock of Ages- Any woman over 30 years of age.
Rug Hopper- Young man who never takes a girl out. A parlor hound.
Sap- A Flapper term for floorflusher.
Scandal- A short term for Scandal Walk.
Scandaler- A dance floor fullback. The interior of dreadnaught hat, Piccadilly suitings and shoes with open plumbing, size 13.
Seetie- Anybody a flapper hates.
Sharpshooter- One who spends well and dances much.
Shifter- Another species of a Flapper.
Show Case- Rich man's wife with her jewels.
Sip- Flapper term for female Hopper.
Slat- See Highjohn; Goof.
Slimp- Cheapskate or "one way guy."
Smith Brothers- Guys who never cough up.
Smoke Eater- A girl cigarette user.
Smooth- Guy who does not keep his word.
Snake- To call a victim with vampire arms.
Snugglepup- A man fond of petting and petting parties.
Sod Buster- An undertaker.
Stilts- Legs.
Stander- Victim of a female grafter.
Static- Conversation that means nothing.
Strike Breaker- A young woman who goes with her friend's "Steady" while there is a coolness.
Swan- Glide gracefully.
Tomato- A young woman shy of brains.
Trotzky- Old lady with mustache and chin whiskers.
Umbrella- Young man any girl can borrow for the evening.
Urban Set- Her new gown.
Walk In- Young man who goes to parties without being invited.
Weasel- Girl stealer.
Weed- Flapper who takes risks.
Weeping Willow- Same as Crape Hanger.
Whangdoodle- Jazz-band music.
Whiskbroom- Any man who wears whiskers.
Wind Sucker- Any person given to boasting.
Wurp- Killjoy or drawback.
aww this is such a cute post!! I love all of the photos :)
RispondiEliminathank you!! :D
RispondiEliminaI went to my school graduation as a flapper. This was really interesting to read - thanks for posting!!
RispondiEliminaMy goodness, Katia - I never thought I would see you publish Velvet & Old Laces again! Visiting this site years ago was one of the happiest experiences of my early blogging career. :)
RispondiEliminaThis Flapper glossary from 1922 is hilarious. I remember some of these terms (like "cat's pajamas" and "tomato") used in old movies of the 1920s and 30s. A few are still in use today (like "party crasher"). I never heard of most of them. In many cases the definition is just as confusing as the word itself. For example - "Crumb Gobbler- Slightly sissy tea hound." I read that a "tea hound" is someone fond of attending teas (meaning afternoon social events), but I can't get the "crumb gobbler" and "slightly sissy" connection, can you? :)
This was great fun, dear friend Katia!
Hi Tom I was looking at my hold pictures today so I tried to resume some old posts! This dictionary is absolutely strange for my poor English!
RispondiElimina