Speakeasy Slang
Get yourself acclimated to the slang of the evening by becoming familiar with some of the common phrases of the day.
Ab-so-lute-ly – affirmative
All wet – describes an erroneous idea or individual, as in, “He’s all wet.”
And How! – I strongly agree
Applesauce – an expletive – same as “horsefeathers”, as in “Ah, applesauce!”
Attaboy! – Well done!, also “Attagirl!”
Baby – Sweetheart. Also denotes something of high value or respect
Balled up – Confused, messed up
Baloney – Nonsense
Bank’s Closed – No kissing or making out, as in “Sorry, Mac, the bank’s closed.”
Beat it – Scram or get lost
Bees Knees – An extraordinary person, thing, idea, the ultimate
Beef –A complaint or to complain
Berries – Attractive or pleasing, as in “It’s the berries!:
Big Cheese – The most important or influential person, boss. Same as big shot.
Bootleg – Illegal liquor
Breezer – A convertible car
Caper – A criminal act or robbery
Carry a Torch – To have a crush on someone
Cash – a Kiss
Cash or Check? – Do you kiss now or later?
Cat’s meow – Something splendid or stylish
Cat’s pajamas – Same as “cat’s meow”
Cheaters – Eyeglasses
Check – Kiss me later
Clam – A dollar
Copacetic – Agreeable, wonderful, fine, all-right
Darb – An excellent person or thing that can be relied on
Dick – A private investigator
Dogs – Feet
Dolled up – Dressed up
Don’t know from nothin’ – Don’t have any information
Dough – Money
Ducky – Very good
Earful – Enough
Fall guy – Victim of a crime
Fish – First time in prison, college freshman
Fly boy/girl – Aviator
Frame – Give false evidence, set someone up
Get a wiggle on – Get moving
Giggle water – an intoxicating beverage, alcohol
Glad rags – Going out on the town clothes
Hair of the dog – Shot of alcohol
Hard boiled – Tough, strong guy
Hayburner – a gas guzzling car, horse one loses money on
Heebie-Jeebies – The jitters, nervousness
Hitting on all sixes – To perform at 100%
Hooch – Bootleg liquor
Hood – Hoodlum
Hoofer – Dancer
Horsefeathers – An expletive
Hotsy Totsy – Pleasing
Jack – Money
Jalopy – Old car
Java – Coffee
Joe – Coffee
Joint – An establishment
Juice Joint – A speakeasy
Keen – Attractive r pleasing
Level with me – Be honest
Nifty – Great, excellent
“Now you’re on the trolly!” – Now you’ve got it/ got it right!
On the lam – Fleeing from the police
On the level – Legitimate, honest
On the up and up – On the level
Orchid – Expensive item
Owl – A person who is out late
Pinch – To arrest
Pipe down – Stop talking
Pushover – Someone easily convinced
Putting on the Ritz – Doing something in high style
Real McCoy – the genuine article
Ritzy – Elegant, as in, “Ain’t she ritzy!”
Rubes – Money or dollars
Says you – A reaction of disbelief
Speakeasy – An illicit bar selling bootleg alcohol
Spiffy – Elegant appearance
Swanky – Ritzy
Swell – Wonderful
Wet blanket – A solemn person, a killjoy
Whoopee – to have a good time
You slay me – That’s funny