Top 30+ Boomer-Era Slang Phrases to Remember
These sayings might sound odd or cringeworthy for younger generations, but for boomers, they were everyday parts of the lingo.
30. Bells and Whistles
Apparently, bells and whistles make things fancy. If you've got all the bells and whistles on, metaphorically of course, you probably look great.
29. Buzz Off
Before people of all walks of life used four-letter words, this was popular. "Buzz" is one of many verbs used with "off" to avoid cursing.
27. What's Your Bag?
This was an interestingly vague thing to ask someone. "Bag" could mean problem, job, interest, preference, whatever.
26. Square
"Square" in the 50s and 60s, was something no one wanted to be. Human beings aren't square anyway, nor are we circles or triangles.
24. Apple Butter
Not everyone has heard of this one, but it means "smooth talk." We wonder why it's apple butter and not just butter which is smoother.
23. Cool Cat
To be a cool cat is to be super cool. However, no cool cat would use the expression cool cat nowadays.
21. On Cloud Nine
We had no idea clouds had numbers. Apparently cloud 8 or 10 aren't good enough. Cloud 9 is the one to be on.
20. Crusin' for a Bruisin'
This is a nicer way of saying someone is going too far. Usually when we heard this, it was clear fists were going to fly.
18. The Skinny
When we hear someone say "Give me the skinny" we are tempted to say "Skinny what?" The "skinny" in this sense is hot gossip, the news.
17. Moo Juice
This one is beyond boomer. It dates back to the 40s. Most people today don't recognize this, but it's clearly referring to milk.
15. Wet Rag
We all know what this means. Having someone around who is a wet rag is boring and annoying at the same time.
14. Bogart
This expression comes from the actor Humphrey Bogart who let cigarettes burn out while hanging from his mouth. It means not giving someone else a chance to enjoy something good.
12. Fink
A fink is a snitch or someone who informs on others. A really bad fink was called a rat fink.
11. What a Fry
We like fries, but this is what we say when someone puts fries up their nostrils. In other words, if someone is acting silly, we might have said, "What a fry."
9. Bean Wagon
This is kind of an obscure one. It means cheap restaurant. If we order a bunch of burritos from Taco Bell takeout, then we'd have a bean wagon.
8. Swinging
"Swinging" can mean anything exciting or lively, but it can sound dodgy. In the 70s, though swinging had less savory connotations.
6. All Show and No Go
This expression says what it's about. It describes someone who shows off. This is another one that was probably popular because it rhymed.
5. Jonesing (Jonesin’)
Anyone named Jones was sure to get annoyed by this one. People would "Jones" for anything from substances to sandwiches.
3. Zilch
This was usually said in a series of words like "Zero, nothing, bupkis, zilch." It's even hard to remember people using the word "zilch" by itself.
2. Zonked Out
If you're "Zonked Out" you're really, really tired. You might just flop onto your sofa and fall asleep instantly.
