SLANG OF THE 50s & 60s
Penny For Your Thoughts
By: Nancy Whitaker
Yep! I grew up in the 50s and 60s. Now that I am old, I think those were the best times in my lifetime. We dressed cool, the boys had well oiled hair and some were even growing side burns. Girls were wearing poodle skirts, had beehives and white buck shoes.
Football games were held usually on Friday nights where a group of friends would cheer in the bleachers for our Van Wert Cougars. Following the game we would go to a record hop where we danced till our curfew rolled around.
We danced the jitterbug, the twist, the stroll and slow danced to the best love songs ever. We loved shopping on Saturdays at the Five and Dime Store, shoe stores, and going to restaurants with soda fountains and drinking a nickel Coke.
A lot of us had part-time jobs. Sometimes we babysat, car-hopped, mowed yards or delivered newspapers. There was a movie theater downtown that had a balcony. If you were lucky enough to have a girl- or boyfriend, you might get to sit in the balcony. Of course at the movies, there was a commercial saying, “Let’s all go to the lobby.” The lobby was full of various kinds of candy, popcorn, and soda pops.
One of the first movies I saw was “Psycho”. I was so scared during that movie that my mom, my brother and I were scared to walk home and we were also scared to take a shower. That movie I will never forget where the gal got stabbed in the shower. Tony Curtis starred in that movie with Janet Leigh as the girl in the shower.
Back in those days we also had certain sayings we said. Not bad words but cool sayings such as:
• Cool Cat: A stylish, calm, or admired person (I think cool cat was a saying for guys).
• Square: An old-fashioned, boring, or uncool person ( I tried not to be square, but I probably was).
• Daddy-O: A casual term of address for a friend or cool guy.
• Dig It: To understand, like, or appreciate something (“I dig it”). I about forgot that one. Let me use it now, “Oh yes, I dig the West Bend News”
• Greaser: A rebellious youth with slicked-back, greased hair and a leather jacket (I dated a few of those).
• Fuzz: The police.
• Bread: Money (back then a quarter was a lot).
• Pad: Someone’s home or apartment.
• Cruising for a Bruisin’: Looking for trouble or a fight.
• See You Later, Alligator: A popular way to say goodbye (with the response, “After a while, crocodile”).
• Far Out: Something incredible, strange, or amazing.
• Outta Sight: Awesome, impressive, or extraordinary.
• Right On: An expression of agreement or approval.
• Groovy: Trendy, cool, or fantastic
• Bummer: A disappointing or unpleasant experience.
• Psyched: Excited or full of enthusiasm.
• Sock It to Me: A catchphrase popularized by Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In meaning “give it to me” or “hit me with it”. (Remember Laugh In?)
• Burn Rubber: To accelerate fast in a car, leaving a mark on the pavement (not me, I was a late driver).
I am sure not a cool cat, not groovy, or far out. I guess I am a square with little bread and if you remember any of these sayings, then you can “ Sock it to me.” No, I will just give you a Penny for your thoughts.
