Thursday, July 24, 2008

Flapper Dictionary


I have always held a love for the Roaring 20's! I thought I would share a "Flapper Dictionary" that I came across on the web.

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 EaterBush 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 ParticluarsGoof- SweetieGrummy- 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.

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.

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