Top 25+ words that didn't even exist before the 1960s
Jack Russell terrier
These popular family dogs officially received their name in 1961, but they've been around since they were originally bred by English clergyman John "Jack" Russell. An avid huntsman, Reverend Russell bred these terriers to have great stamina and courage, perfect for chasing game.
One-liner
If you've ever delivered a witty, short joke, congratulations! You've uttered a one-liner, a popular comedy term that became official in 1962.
Telenovela
Telenovelas are popular Latin American dramas whose melodramatic storylines and abundant plot twists have much in common with their American soap opera counterparts. First popularized as radio dramas in the 1930s, telenovelas took off in countries like Brazil and Cuba in the 1950s. By the next decade, they featured storylines tackling taboo onscreen topics.
Theme park
In 1960, "theme park" was first used to describe amusement parks whose attractions and structure involved a specific theme. The term's rise in popularity also coincided with the popularity of Disneyland, which opened in 1955. While amusement parks had already existed, offering people a variety of rides and games, at Disneyland, these were now attractions that all clung to a central theme, where rides, shops, venues, and games were all coordinated.
