Gangster and flapper parties of the Roaring Twenties are popular and fun. They’re an opportunity to dress in 1920s glamorous fashion, relive the danger and drama of speakeasies and bootlegging, and celebrate an era of newfound freedom and excess. But if you want to add even more authenticity to your next meeting; Learn some of the slang from that fabulous decade and mix it into your party conversation! Here are some popular words or phrases from the 1920s to get you started.
1. bees knees – Refers to a great person, thing, idea, etc. While today you might say something is cool, back then it was the bee’s knees. Party Usage Example: Wow! Your flapper dress is the bee’s knees!
two. And how – It means that you strongly agree with something. Like when someone says your onion sauce is delicious, you could back up that statement with an enthusiastic “so what!”
3. Take no wooden nickels – A phrase used as advice not to do stupid things. For example, if one of your friends says that he is thinking of challenging others at the party to an illegal drinking contest, “don’t take any wooden nickels” would be an appropriate response. So make sure you translate and tell them in plain modern English that they really should NOT do that!
Four. alcoholic beverage – Another word for bootleg liquor. Even though Prohibition is no longer in effect, you can get into the spirit of your Roaring Twenties party when you offer your guests some booze. The good news is that you don’t have to serve bad homemade beer because if you’re of legal age it’s legal to go buy good stuff.
5. you kill me – Something you would say when you find something funny. Of course, when you find something funny, you can just laugh to indicate that you’re having fun. But at a gangster party, you have the perfect excuse to follow up your laugh with the cool line “You kill me!” No one should miss out on such an opportunity!
6. spilled – In other words, drunk. Have fun with guests who have had too many and try to get them to say they’re splashed! This alone is sure to provide interesting entertainment.
7. juice joint – This was another name for a speakeasy. A speakeasy, of course, was an establishment that illegally sold liquor during Prohibition. When you throw a gangster party, it’s fun to pretend your party is taking place at a juice place.
8. cheerful rags – This refers to elegant clothing suitable for a night on the town. When you invite people to your Roaring Twenties party, be sure to tell them to have their jolly rags on when they come.