Old Phrases
By Ileana Paules-Bronet, Purple Clover
Throughout history, we've used all sorts of terms to mean different things. It's fascinating to find out what phrases were popular in the past. These words may not be popular anymore, but they're so fun to learn about!
1. Picture Show
Meaning: movie theater or movie
Back when movies (or "moving pictures") were a new thing, people referred to them as "picture shows." So instead of asking a friend if they wanted to go to the movies, you'd ask if they wanted to go to a picture show.
2. Kick Up Your Heels
Meaning: let loose and have fun
This phrase was used to encourage people to cast off their inhibitions and just enjoy themselves. On your next girls night, try telling your friends to "kick up their heels" and see how they react!
3. Know Your Onions
Meaning: be knowledgeable about something
In the past, instead of saying "know your stuff," one might say "know your onions."
4. Pedal Pushers
Meaning: cropped or capri pants
What we refer to today as "capris" used to be known as "pedal pushers," since the term derived from rolled up pants that were worn while biking (so they wouldn't get caught in the bike chains).
5. Jiggery-Pokery
Meaning: trickery, deceitful behavior
This term, first used in the 1890s, was used to describe prank-like behavior. Sometimes, the term was used more seriously to mean dishonest behavior or manipulation.
6. The Bee's Knees
Meaning: the best, excellent
This phrase was used as a compliment — if you told someone they were "the bee's knees," it meant you really admired or appreciated them.
7. Guttle
Meaning: to eat/drink greedily
Today, we might say that someone was gobbling their food or scarfing it down, but back in the day, people would refer to this action as "guttling."
8. Fiddle-Faddle
Meaning: nonsense
This term was used to describe trivial matters. One might say something like, "don't waste your time on fiddle-faddle like that."
9. Giggle Water
Meaning: alcoholic beverage
Back in the day, people would sometimes call alcohol "giggle water." It makes sense, since alcohol often makes people feel extra silly and giggly.
10. Zozzled
Meaning: beliggerently drunk
If you drink too much giggle water, you might get a tad bit too drunk. Nowadays, we might say that someone drunk is "trashed" or "hammered," but back in the day, people would say a person is "zozzled."
11. Tickety-Boo
Meaning: everything's fine/ok
Tickety-boo was a phrase that used to be use to mean "everything's a-okay." You might say, "The meeting was tickety-boo," or "My dinner date went tickety-boo."
12. Gigglemug
Meaning: someone who is always smiling
If someone had a gigglemug, it meant they were perpetually smiling or always happy.
13. Cancelled Stamp
Meaning: shy woman, wallflower
This phrase was used to refer to a woman who kept to herself or preferred to stay in instead of going out.
14. Dewdropper
Meaning: slacker
A "dewdropper" was someone who was very lazy and slacked off. This person often didn't have a job and didn't really contribute to society in a positive or meaningful way.
15. Don't Have A Cow
Meaning: don't get overly upset
Some people still use this phrase today, but it used to be much more common. People use this saying to tell others to calm down.
16. The Cat's Meow
Meaning: remarkable, wonderful
Similar to "the bee's knees," something that is "the cat's meow" is something truly wonderful or lovely.
17. Iron Your Shoelaces
Meaning: to excuse yourself to go to the bathroom
If you had to slip away to use the restroom back in the day, you might tell your friends that you had to go "iron your shoelaces."
18. Get The Icy Mitt
Meaning: to be rejected by a romantic interest
If you were romantically interested in someone, but they rejected you, you might say you "got the icy mitt." If you think of the words themselves, it's like getting a cold slap in the face.
19. Wurp
Meaning: someone who is a buzzkill
A wurp is a term used to refer to someone who is a "Debbie Downer" or party pooper.
