As society changes, phrases become popular and are eventually replaced by newer alternatives. These 20 phrases were a standard part of American vernacular for decades, but they’re rarely heard today.
Heavens to Betsy
“Heavens to Betsy” is an exclamation of surprise or shock used in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was used as a variation of “for heaven’s sake,” a euphemism for what some considered the blasphemous “for God’s sake.”
In Like Flynn
“In like Flynn” became a popular term in the 1940s, meaning something successful or assured of success. It was likely associated with the New York political boss Edward J. Flynn, a campaign manager for the Democrats during Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s presidency.
Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels
“Don’t take any wooden nickels” was a warning against being cheated used during the Great Depression. According to AP News, the saying “probably began simply as a humorous warning to country folk going to the city not to be taken in by city slickers trying to pay them off with wooden nickels.”
Keen
Describing something that was cool or great as “keen” was popular with teenagers in the 1950s and 1960s. Today, younger Americans are more likely to associate the term with strong eyesight than being cool.
Mind Your Ps and Qs
Being told to “mind your Ps and Qs” was an admonishment to be careful and behave properly, and dates back to the 18th century. It’s largely fallen out of use, and Americans are more likely to use more straightforward phrases like “watch yourself” today.
The Whole Shebang
“The whole shebang” is everything included or the entire situation. It was a popular phrase in the late 19th century but is less common today and has been largely replaced by phrases like “the whole package.”
What’s the Skinny?
Asking, “What’s the skinny?” was once slang for asking for the latest news or gossip. It was popular in the mid-20th century, but most Americans are likely to be unfamiliar with the phrase today.
Cat’s Pajamas
The “cat’s pajamas” was a Roaring Twenties phrase often used interchangeably with “the bee’s knees.” Merriam-Webster notes that the first known use of the idiom, which means something highly admired, was in 1922. Today, most Americans not interested in the 1920s have likely never heard of the phrase.
Cool Beans
“Cool beans” was an expression of approval or excitement popular with teenagers in the 1980s and 1990s. Gen X and millennials will fondly remember the phrase, but it’s likely to draw a blank with Gen Z.
Knuckle Sandwich
A “knuckle sandwich” is a humorous slang term for “punch” commonly heard on American schoolyards in the mid-20th century. It’s also the name of a 2023 game made by an Australian developer.
Out to Lunch
“Out to lunch” was a popular phrase in the mid-20th century to describe someone who wasn’t paying attention or out of touch with reality. Terms like “zoned out” or “clueless” are more common today.
Big Cheese
The “big cheese” was an important person or boss who held the power in any situation. It originated in the early 20th century but is rarely used today and has been replaced by terms like “big shot.”
The Bee’s Knees
This phrase will make most Americans think of the 1920s, with its flapper culture and jazz age slang. According to Phrase Finder, “In the Roaring Twenties in America, bright young things invented nonsense language to refer to things that were ‘the tops,'” and took the existing “bee’s knees,” which had referred to something that didn’t exist.
Flimflam
A “flimflam” is a deception or fraud that first appeared in the English language in the second half of the 16th century. It’s rarely used today and occasionally appears in news articles. Terms like “con” or “scam” are more common.
Cut a Rug
To “cut a rug” was to dance energetically. The term was popular in the 1940s and 1950s and was often associated with swing and early rock and roll dancing. Some believe the phrase comes from the “jitterbug” dance of the period.
The Cat’s Meow
The “cat’s meow” is one of several 1920s phrases that meant something highly admired, similar to the “bee’s knees” and the “cat’s pajamas.” However, its popularity dropped after the Roaring Twenties ended.
Nitty-Gritty
The “nitty-gritty” is the most essential detail of a matter. The Scotsman explains that many consider the phrase to have roots in the slave trade, and broadcasters like Sky Sports have banned its use.
Drop a Dime
This expression was slang for a phone call and alluded to the ten-cent coin used to make the call. It has criminal origins as slang for phoning the police to inform on a fellow criminal and was also used to refer to any betrayal.
Jive Turkey
This insult, which referred to a phony or deceptive person, was popular in the 1970s. It was popularized by the 1974 Ohio Players song and appeared in popular sitcoms like The Jeffersons.
Spiffy
“Spiffy” was a popular term in the early to mid-20th century for a well-dressed or stylish person, similar to “dapper.” Terms like “sharp” or “stylish” are more commonly used today to refer to well-dressed people.
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