The most memorable slang words of the 1950s and 1960s

In the 1950’s we wore circle skirts and did the twist. It was the era depicted in Fonzie when we visited our friends to see a tv, and used words as a sign of great rebellion.   So the words we used were nothing more than entertaining.  See which ones you remember and add to them in the comments below… 

And share this with your friends, so we can build a true list of all the good ones.  

Let’s Split – “I’m bored, let’s split!” was used when you were planning to leave back in the 50s and 60s.  

Get Bent! – This term was used not to talk about marijuana but instead, in the 1950s and 1960s to say “go away”.  “Go and get bent!”. Perhaps similar to “get stuffed” today.

Nosebleed – This term was a name you called someone you thought was a bit of a jerk.  “Hey nosebleed, watch where you’re going next time, huh?”    

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No Sweat – “I did it, no sweat”.  you’d say when someone asked you if you’d run 3 miles.  

Threads – As used in the statement, “those are some swanky threads you’ve got on” to describe someone who was well dressed. 

Pad – This was the name for a house or home “Nice pad”.  It’s still used today in the “cool set”.  

Righto – “Righto Dad, whatever you say” was a way of being agreeable. 

Greaser – Originally used to describe a guy with tons of hair product in his hair, but within a few years it was used to describe the recognisable era of youths from the 1950s. I.e. “John Travolta in Grease was the ultimate greaser, don’t you think?”  

Heat – The word for the police, used by people trying to avoid them! . I.e. “I think that’s the heat, man, let’s split!” 

Kook/Kookie – A word that people used to describe someone who was odd, weird, nuts, crazy, etc. I.e. “What a kook wearing that hat!”. 

Ankle-biter –  “That little ankle-biter of yours is really cute.” was how people referred to young children.  It was after all the era when housewives ruled.

Peepers – If you wore glasses in the 50s, you spoke of wearing “peepers”.  “Look at his giant nerdy peepers” was not uncommon. 

Burn Rubber – If you were ever in a car with a lad, accelerating hard and fast, you would have heard the term “Let’s burn rubber”.  

Hot Rod – Used to as a descriptive term for typically American made muscle cars that were modified with large engines for linear speed with usually a very flashy exterior. I.e. “Did you see that new hot rod, Johnny brought to the dance? It was unreal!”

Made in the Shade – This entertaining statement was apparently used when something or someone that was sure to be or is a success.