1920s "Flapper" terminology ... SeXStoRY

The term "flapper" evokes the image of short fringe dresses, cigarette holders, bobs and stylish hair accessories. But beyond these shorter hemlines and daring fashion attitudes was a strong undercurrent of change for women in the Roaring 1920s. This new generation of young woman, tired of men's dominance in society and of the old social norms that stifled them, took on new behaviors previously deemed not suitable for women. They drove cars, drank alcohol, and attended jazz clubs by night where they danced, smoked cigarettes and dated men casually. They began to work outside the home and advocated voting as well as other women's rights. Along with these new trends and social statements, these flapper girls invented their own slang, some of which still makes an appearance in our vocabulary today. Some of it is indicative of these women's growing liberation: "handcuff" was a slang term for engagement ring, "hush money" was allowance from a father, and "dropping the pilot" meant getting a divorce. This generation even had their own magazine, “The Flapper”, whose tagline was "Not for Old Fogies", that catered to the movement. So, are you a tomato, a flapper, or a Trotzky? Alarm Clock: Chaperone Bank’s Closed: No kissing Bean Picker: An individual who attempts to patch up trouble (i.e. picks up spilled beans) Bee’s Knees: See “Cat’s Pajamas” Berries: Great (i.e. It’s the berries) Big Cheese: an important person (originated in this period) Blouse: Go, to go (i.e. Let’s Blouse) Cat’s Meow: Something highly sought after Cat’s Pajamas: Anything good, the best, the greatest Dapper: Flapper’s father Ducky: Term of approval Dud: A wall flower Dudding Up: Dressing up Embalmer: A bootlegger Father Time: Any man over 30 years of age Fire Extinguisher: A chaperone Flapper: Girl Flat Shoes: A fight between a Flapper and her Goof Fluky: Funny, different, odd Forty-Niner: Man who is prospecting for a rich wife Gimlet: A chronic bore Goof: Sweetie Handcuff: Engagement ring His Blue Serge: His sweetheart, his girl Hooch: liquor Hopper: Dancer Out on Parole: A person who has been divorced Scofflaw: A lawless drinker of i*****lly made or i*****lly obtained liquor (coined in 1923) Sharpshooter: A good dancer who does not hold back while spending money Snake Charmer: A female bootlegger Tomato: Good looking girl with no brains Trotzky: Old lady with a moustache and chin whiskers Weasel: Girl stealer Whangdoodle: Jazz music, jazz band Whiskbroom: Man with whiskers