Open Thread Update: Old School Slang

Let’s Boogie!

Reader Jeffrey helpfully pointed out two sources for definitions:

…to interpret slang old or new: Netlingo – an internet dictionary and Urbandictionary.com. 
If they don’t know it probably doesn’t exist.

I still use old old school slang phrases to mean, “That’s terrible.” The phrase comes from my grandmom: “That’s a burned biscuit and no butter.” I also use, “That’s the pits” from my high school days.

Reader Kathy is still loyal to  ‘Cool Beans” and Reader Elly recently added “dope” (now meaning”cool, awesome, great”) to her repertoire.

Reader Tammy helpfully added nine slang words or phrases in her comment that may have stood the text of time, from”let’s Boogie” to “smoked.” Thanks, Tammy!

Reader Colleen’s comment described how she learned about “Ghosted” the  hard way.

There was a brisk discussion of ‘gaslighting” in the comments Janet  Elly, Steve, B and others.

You can join in and add your faves or your questions, or you can be like Reader Pat and just forget the whole thing.

Why use any slang at all? What’s the point in it? Why not just converse using the actual language we were taught at home before going to school?

We’ll keep the comments open for a while, so we’ll catch you on the flip side!  (See ya later!)

Original column

“He’s letting his freak flag fly.”

“She paid four large for that jewelry??”

“He’s not a burn artist.”

These are three examples of old school slang I used recently that got a blank stare from the 20 something daughter of a friend, who said these in reply:

“Flag? What flag? I don’t see any flag.”

“Four large what?”

“You mean he was arrested for arson?”

Slang updated

The internet is a great way to get tuned into the latest slang, but by the time I know what ‘rizz” is, they’ve moved on to some other catchphrase. (The newest one to me is GOAT.  I thought it wasn’t a compliment until I learned it meant “Greatest Of All Time.”)

I used to try to keep up because of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).  I still don’t understand what “flex” means or the many uses of ‘yeet.”

(Update: definitions follow below).

Nowadays, though, I don’t bother, since it feels and sounds so…awkward.  (Think of 55-year-old-Steve Buscemi trying to pass as a high schooler in that 30 Rock episode saying  “How do you do, fellow kids?” )

via GIPHY

I’ll keep using ‘full tilt boogie” “Let’s book” and “whatta drag” when appropriate, and never mind the blank looks.  After all, it might be a Jeopardy category someday!

YOUR TURN

But that’s me. How about you? What old school slang do you still use, or miss? What happens when you use it? What new-style slang do you still not understand – I’ll try to find out what they mean.  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Wait, there’s more!

Readers Joan, Ann and Elly asked for definitions:

Rizz: short for ‘charisma.”

Yeet: it’s a versatile word that can be an exclamation of joy, enthusiasm, approval or triumph (“Everyone yelled ‘Yeet!” when our team won”) or broadly to throw forcefully or leave quickly. (“I yeeted right out of there.”)

Flex:  to boast or show off an (often exaggerated) possession, skill or achievement.

Virge Randall is Senior Planet’s Managing Editor. She is also a freelance culture reporter who seeks out hidden gems and unsung (or undersung) treasures for Straus Newspapers; her blog “Don’t Get Me Started” puts a quirky new spin on Old School New York City. Send your suggestions for Open Threads to her at editor@seniorplanet.org.