They Say Em' From the Golden Era - Slang & Memorable Phrases

[Godfrey]

Help a Digger

When I was a kid we moved from Sunny Melbourne, Australia to Boston, US(of)A. Within my first few weeks of school a another kid brought in something extraordinary to show the teacher. Like a good little Australian I exclaimed "What the bloody hell is that?!". At which point I got a dressing down for swearing. Both "bloody" and "hell" are pretty vintage and inoffensive expletives in Australia and I'm unsure to this day which word was more offensive to my bean-town listeners. I think it was bloody but its really common here so I've never been sure.

example:

During WW1 in 1917 the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg line leaving the city of Bapaume behind which was then investigated by an Australian patrol. The officer in charge returned to his CO and reported..

Office: "They've hopped the bloody twig. They're out of it."
CO: "Who? The Boche? Out of Bapaume?"
Officer: "Yes. The bloody place is empty."
CO: "Your a bloody liar."
Officer: "Bloody liar be damned. You give me the bloody battalion and I'll take the bloody place right now!"

He did... and he did.

So could a friendly yank set me at ease so I can finally die a happy man

 

[Miss 1929]

I had a friend whose grandmother would mutter, when presented with a particularly badly dressed person, "The things you see when you don't have a gun".

 

[scotrace]

Bumping - merged three slang threads.

 

[Caroline]

I'm a big fan of using "ring-a-ding-ding" instead of "wow" or "hot" etc.

I've swiped a lot of slang from film over the years. "Miller's Crossing" introduced me to the classic "take your flunky and dangle."

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Thanks for the merge, scotrace. That's showin' 'em how!

 

[Burnsie]

Expressions used to register surprise:

"Well I'll be dipped in gravy"
"Well cut off my legs and call me shorty"
"Well I'll be a monkey's uncle"

For some reason they all began with "well" around these parts

 

[katiemakeup]

I embrace all humanity as I find them and invite everyone into my world. It's the writer in me.

It's the decent man in you.

 

[shortbow]

Slick as deer guts on a doorknob.

Feel like I been et by a coyote and s--- over a cliff.

Lower than snake s--- in a gopher hole.

Whatever suits you just tickles me plumb to death.

He looks like death eatin' a cracker.

Dead as a stick.

Feelin' fine as frog hair.

Rare as hen's teeth.

 

[Rachael]

my favorite this week: criminitly. [huh]

 

[Forgotten Man]

Slick as a cup o' custard.

Also: Lookin' as slick as a horse hair couch!

Some other great ones for tellin' someone off...

Ah, go chase yer self!

Yer full of beans!

Make like sub... SUBMERGE!

Take off before I clock ya one!

Oh yeah? I'll paste ya one kiddo!


Or, when I'm hungry, I always say this:

When are we goin' to tie on a feed bag?

I could eat a hip off a horse!

Tellin' ya'll right now, 30s movies have the best terms!

 

[jamespowers]

Or, when I'm hungry, I always say this:

I could eat a hip off a horse!

I believe you could. lol lol lol lol

 

[Forgotten Man]

Well, you don't exactly eat like a bird either brother! lol

 

[jamespowers]

Well, you don't exactly eat like a bird either brother! lol

Why I oughta.......

 

[SuperKawaiiMama]

I had a friend whose grandmother would mutter, when presented with a particularly badly dressed person, "The things you see when you don't have a gun".

Oh I am so using this one! Presented with such situations at present I am commonly heard to say, "Now I'll have to poke my eyes out." but I really like this one.

Also, it is told to me that from a very young age I have been fond of saying "Crikey Moses!" whenever I am really ticked off at someone. Apparently my great grandmother used it commonly, (even though she died when I was 7) and I must have picked it up. That and her ability to hit people with a cane from twenty paces!
Does anyone know what vintage this expression is?

 

[Ace Fedora]

This thread is the bee's knees.

When my son got to the age where he started repeating everything Daddy said, I made a concentrated effort to cut down on my swearing, and used older slang whenever possible.

Turns out that saying "Criminey!" irritates people more than plain-ol' f-words...

 

[jamespowers]

My grandmother used to say "pushed" as a short term for pushed out of shape. I use it for cases where something someone does has an adverse effect on someone else or a group of others.
She got pushed at you for saying that.

 

[shortbow]

Heard on TCM tonight: "If you ever need a pall bearer, remember I'm at your service."

 

[carter]

Oh I am so using this one! Presented with such situations at present I am commonly heard to say, "Now I'll have to poke my eyes out." but I really like this one.

Also, it is told to me that from a very young age I have been fond of saying "Crikey Moses!" whenever I am really ticked off at someone. Apparently my great grandmother used it commonly, (even though she died when I was 7) and I must have picked it up. That and her ability to hit people with a cane from twenty paces!
Does anyone know what vintage this expression is?

REALLY? Both you and your great grandmother are/were able to hit a person with a cane from twenty paces? That IS impressive! :eusa_clap :eusa_clap :eusa_clap
Is it arm extension, thrusting, throwing, thwacking, or, alternatively, is it hurling a missile at a person who is using a cane?

I have no idea concerning origin, but my grandmother was fond of "criminetly" from time to time.

 

[Diamondback]

Carter, I think the lady from the Antipodes meant throwing the cane at an assailant.lol

 

[carter]

Carter, I think the lady from the Antipodes meant throwing the cane at an assailant.lol

Probably...but...inquiring minds want to know.