If you’re a history buff, the 1940’s are a time that you probably know a lot about. This era was immensely impactful on world history with the birth and resolution of the second world war.
Being such a tumultuous time meant that the vernacular of the day was extremely interesting. Whether you’re just into history or you love learning new words, we’ve created this list of 1940’s slang words and phrases for people like you.
Let’s show you what we’ve found…
1940’s Slang Words and Phrases (in Alphabetical Order)
A
Above My Pay Grade
Meaning:
- (Expression): This is an expression that you might occasionally hear today. If something is above your pay grade, it’s above your head or not a topic you’re strong in.
- Example: “He asked me about astrophysics, but that’s above my pay grade.”
Ace
Meaning:
- (Noun): A person with a large amount of expertise in a given topic.
- Example: “She’s the astrophysics ace, so I’d ask her any questions you have about outer space.”
Ace is still used frequently today in New York, albeit with a different meaning. Check out our post on ace in New York slang to learn more.
Active Duty
Meaning:
- (Noun): Keep in mind that the 40’s were quite a bit more socially conservative than we are today. It shouldn’t be surprising that they had words like active duty to describe sexually promiscuous men.
- Example: “Watch yourself around Clifton because he’s an active duty gentleman.”
Ameche
Meaning:
- (Noun): A slang word for telephone.
- Example: “I think I hear the Ameche ringing in the other room.”
Amscray
Meaning:
- (Verb): Pig Latin for “scram.” This means to leave a location quickly.
- Example: “Why don’t you amscray so I can focus on my work?”
Anchor Clanker
Meaning:
- (Noun): It’s not shocking that there was a lot of military-related slang in the 40’s like this one. An anchor clanker is another word for a sailor.
- Example: “Ernest is an anchor clanker serving in the military right now.”
Armored Heifer
Meaning:
- (Noun): Despite the way it sounds, armored heifer is not a name for something in the military. It just means canned milk.
- Example: “I’ve added some armored heifer to our grocery list.”
Army Strawberries
Meaning:
- (Noun): Fun military slang for prunes.
- Example: “I got some army strawberries in my rations again.”
B
Baby Doll
Meaning:
- (Noun): Affectionate term for an attractive woman.
- Example: “Say, baby doll, what are you up to tonight?”
Bad Business
Meaning:
- (Noun): A bad situation or trouble of some kind.
- Example: “Leonard got himself into some bad business.”
Bathtub
Meaning:
- (Noun): Contrary to what it sounds like, this isn’t something you bathe in. It’s the sidecar on a motorcycle. It was commonly said more often in 1940’s-era military slang.
- Example: “Hop in the bathtub, and let’s get moving.”
Beef
Meaning:
- (Noun): A grudge or disagreement with someone else.
- Example: “Luther had beef with Jesse after he caught Jesse with his girl.”
Behavior Report
Meaning:
- (Noun): WW2-era military slang that refers to a letter you’re writing to your girlfriend back home.
- Example: “I need some time to send a behavior report back to my baby doll.”
Belly Up
Meaning:
- (Verb): When something fails. Usually used in reference to a business going bankrupt.
- Example: “Benjamin’s new landscaping business went belly up after the first year.”
Bellyache
Meaning:
- (Verb): More military slang. This one means to complain incessantly about something.
- Example: “Quit your bellyaching!”
Bender
Meaning:
- (Noun): A drinking spree. This term is still in use in some places today.
- Example: “Joseph went on a bender this weekend and forgot where he was.”
Big House
Meaning:
- (Noun): Federal prison.
- Example: “Douglas is getting sent to the Big House.”
Biz
Meaning:
- (Noun): Shortened slang word for “business.”
- Example: “That’s why they call it show biz, baby doll.”
Black and White
Meaning:
- (Noun): A 1940’s slang term for a police car.
- Example: “Watch out for the black and whites along the road.”
Blow
Meaning:
- (Verb): To neglect to show up to a court appearance, forfeiting a bail bond.
- Example: “I don’t want to go to court, so I’m gonna blow instead.”
Blow a Fuse
Meaning:
- (Expression): To become uncontrollably angry, usually verbally.
- Example: “She blew a fuse when her boyfriend accidentally tore a hole in her new dress.”
Blow Your Top
Meaning:
- (Expression): See Blow a Fuse.
Bog-Pocket
Meaning:
- (Noun): Someone who’s incredibly stingy or miserly.
- Example: “I don’t understand why Lloyd is such a bog-pocket when he has so much moolah.”
Booger
Meaning:
- (Noun): A bratty or troublesome child.
- Example: “Look here, you little booger, you’d better listen to me!”
Boondocks
Meaning:
- (Noun): This one has the same meaning that it has today. It refers to an isolated locale, usually out in the country.
- Example: “Bernice lives way out in the boondocks, so she doesn’t know much about the city.”
Bop
Meaning:
- (Verb): To dance with energy and enthusiasm.
- Example: “We went bopping last night.”
Broad
Meaning:
- (Noun): Common 40’s slang for a woman. Be careful with this one, as it has negative connotations today.
Bum Rap
Meaning:
- (Noun): A lie that incriminates someone. An untrue allegation.
- Example: “Earl got sent to the Big House because of a bum rap.”
Bupkis
Meaning:
- (Noun): Absolutely nothing. Nada. Zero.
- Example: “I put in long hours and got bupkis for it.”
Buy the Farm
Meaning:
- (Expression): A euphemism for dying.
- Example: “When I buy the farm, I plan on leaving behind enough moolah for my kids and grandkids.”
Buzz
Meaning:
- (Noun): The state of being slightly drunk or tipsy.
- Example: “After a couple beers, I had a nice buzz going.”
C
Call Girl
Meaning:
- (Noun): A prostitute that you could order over the phone. The term is still around today, albeit uncommonly.
- Example: “I heard a rumor that Betty works as a call girl.”
Cheaters
Meaning:
- (Noun): A word that could be applied to glasses in general but was often used for sunglasses.
- Example: “Has anyone seen my cheaters lying around? I can’t find them.”
Cheesy
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Anything that has a flimsy construction. Cheap products.
- Example: “What a cheesy watch. Where did you buy that piece of junk?”
Chew Out
Meaning:
- (Verb): To yell at someone.
- Example: “I chewed her out after she showed up late to class.”
Chicken
Meaning:
- (Noun): Anyone who has a cowardly demeanor. It still has the same meaning today.
- Example: “Stop being a chicken and just jump already!”
Chopper
Meaning:
- (Noun): A tooth.
- Example: “She’s got a nice set of choppers, doesn’t she?”
Chrome Dome
Meaning:
- (Noun): 1940’s slang for a bald person. This phrase also saw use into the 1950’s.
- Example: “Mr. Bird is a chrome dome. I practically need to wear my cheaters when I look at him.”
Clams
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another word for money.
- Example: “You better’d have a lot of clams if you plan on taking me on a date. I’m not cheap.”
Cock-Eyed
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Anything that’s unbelievable or crazy.
- Example: “I’ve never heard of such cock-eyed crap in my life.”
Cold Fish
Meaning:
- (Noun): Anyone who’s extremely distant and aloof.
- Example: “Cora’s such a cold fish that she scares all the men away.”
Cook with Gas
Meaning:
- (Expression): Doing something correctly.
- Example: “Once she figured out how to use her new washing machine, she was really cooking with gas.”
Cookie
Meaning:
- (Noun): A somewhat endearing way to refer to anyone, whether they’re a man or woman.
- Example: “My ma is one tough cookie.”
Cool Down
Meaning:
- (Verb): To return to a neutral emotional state after being upset or angry.
- Example: “I need a few minutes to cool down.”
Crack Open
Meaning:
- (Verb): Opening a bottle. Usually used in reference to alcohol. This one saw a resurgence in use in recent years with the meme, “cracking open a cold one with the boys.”
- Example: “How about you sit down with me and crack open a beer?”
Crack Up
Meaning:
- (Verb): Giving into a fit of giggles. Losing control of yourself and laughing.
- Example: “Sherry cracked up when she saw the cheesy outfit her date was wearing.”
Creep
Meaning:
- (Noun): A cruel individual.
- Example: “I’ve heard that that creep is involved with the mafia.”
Croak
Meaning:
- (Verb): Another 40’s slang term for dying. See Buy the Farm.
Crummy
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Something that’s low in quality. See Cheesy.
Cut a Rug
Meaning:
- (Verb): To dance.
- Example: “Dang, she really knows how to cut a rug, doesn’t she?”
D
Dame
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another term for woman. Fortunately, dame has less negative connotation than broad does!
- Example: “What a beautiful bunch of dames!”
Dang Nabbit
Meaning:
- (Interjection): An angry exclamation that’s like shouting out a curse word.
- Example: “Dang nabbit, I tore a hole in my trousers!”
Dead Hoofer
Meaning:
- (Noun): Insulting term for someone who can’t dance very well.
- Example: “It’s a good thing that Claire is such a good-looking dame, because she’s a dead hoofer.”
Devil’s Piano
Meaning:
- (Noun): 40’s military slang for a machine gun.
- Example: “The devil’s piano was a deadly weapon on the battlefield.”
Dish
Meaning:
- (Noun): An attractive woman.
- Example: “I don’t care if Claire can’t dance. She’s a real dish.”
Doll Dizzy
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Someone who’s absolutely crazy for girls.
- Example: “Our son just turned thirteen, and suddenly he’s doll dizzy.”
Done For
Meaning:
- (Adjective): To be finished or in big trouble.
- Example: “I shouldn’t have messed with Brian…I’m done for.”
Dope
Meaning:
- (Noun): The scoop or info. Typically, you would say this in relation to gossip.
- Example: “Give me the dope on Claire. Is she rationed?”
Dreamboat
Meaning:
- (Noun): The male equivalent of dish. A handsome man.
- Example: “Gene is such a dreamboat!”
Drip
Meaning:
- (Noun): Someone who’s completely uninteresting. Anyone who’s a bore to be around.
- Example: “Mr. Strong is a drip, but the class tolerates him because he also happens to be a dreamboat.”
Ducky Shincracker
Meaning:
- (Noun): Amusing nickname for anyone who’s a good dancer.
- Example: “Ducky Shincracker over there can cut a rug like nobody’s business.”
Dud
Meaning:
- (Noun): A non-functional piece of junk. Product that doesn’t work the way it should.
- Example: “Uh, I think this car’s a dud, unfortunately.”
E
Eager Beaver
Meaning:
- (Noun): Someone who’s excited to be helping you.
- Example: “Well, aren’t you just an eager beaver! Yes, you can help me bake these brownies.”
F
Fix
Meaning:
- (Noun): A craving for something. Generally, this was used in reference to drugs, and is still often used that way today.
- Example: “Jessie gets his fix from a dealer on the streets.”
Flip Your Wig
Meaning:
- (Verb): See Blow a Fuse.
Fuddy-Duddy
Meaning:
- (Noun): Someone who’s out of touch with modern trends.
- Example: “My parents are fuddy-duddies who never understand me.”
G
Geezer
Meaning:
- (Noun): Derogatory term for a senior citizen. Quite a bit different in tone from the current British slang version of geezer.
- Example: “That geezer needs to start walking faster, or I’ll push him out of the way.”
Get Under Your Skin
Meaning:
- (Verb): When something annoys or unnerves you.
- Example: “It really gets under my skin when I hear people chewing with their mouths open.”
Glitterati
Meaning:
- (Noun): A slang term for celebrities. We say this one should be brought back!
- Example: “The glitterati just love plastering their faces all over social media.”
Gobbledygook
Meaning:
- (Noun): Gibberish, something that doesn’t make any sense.
- Example: “I can’t understand any of the gobbledygook in the manual.”
Gone with the Wind
Meaning:
- (Verb): To take someone’s money and run with it.
- Example: “She’s gone with the wind ever since her late husband left everything to her in the will.”
Grandstand
Meaning:
- (Verb): Showing off.
- Example: “The boys love grandstanding for the girls on the dancefloor.”
Greenbacks
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another 40’s slang word for cash.
- Example: “Did you bring some greenbacks with you?”
Gumshoe
Meaning:
- (Noun): A private eye or investigator.
- Example: “I hired a gumshoe to see if my wife is having an affair.”
H
Hairy
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Anything that’s out of style or obsolete.
- Example: “Horse-drawn carriages are hairy. Everyone’s getting cars these days.”
Hen Fruit
Meaning:
- (Noun): A cutesy 40’s term for eggs. Try adding this one to your grocery list next time you go grocery shopping!
- Example: “Did you remember to pick up some hen fruit?”
Hi Sugar, Are You Rationed?
Meaning:
- (Expression): A cute 40’s pickup phrase that was a way of asking you if you were taken.
Hi-De-Ho
Meaning:
- (Exclamation): Another way of saying hello.
- Example: “Well, hi-de-ho, traveler!”
Hipster
Meaning:
- (Noun): In some ways, this one is similar to how we use it today. In the 40’s, a hipster was someone who was really into the music scene.
- Example: “I always ask Don for music recommendations because he’s a hipster.”
Holy Mackerel
Meaning:
- (Exclamation): A surprised exclamation that could be equated to the 40’s version of “oh, my god.”
- Example: “Holy mackerel, this cake is delicious!”
Hot to Trot
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Someone who’s sexy.
- Example: “Loretta looked hot to trot on the dancefloor last night.”
Humdinger
Meaning:
- (Noun): You might think this is an insult, but it’s actually the opposite! Humdinger can be used to describe anything that’s amazing.
- Example: “That recipe is a real humdinger! Mind sharing it with me?”
I
In Cahoots With
Meaning:
- (Adjective): The state of plotting with someone. To be in a shared conspiracy with other people.
- Example: “I think he’s in cahoots with the mafia, so I’d avoid him if I were you.”
J
Jitterbug
Meaning:
- (Noun): An extremely rapid dance that was often done to jazz.
- Example: “She’s the only person I know who can jitterbug well.”
Jive
Meaning:
- (Verb): To make sense or fit in with other information.
- Example: “What you’re telling me doesn’t jive with what my sister told me earlier.”
Jive Bomber
Meaning:
- (Noun): Another term to describe someone who’s good at dancing.
K
Khaki Wacky
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Female equivalent of doll dizzy. Someone who’s khaki wacky is crazy about boys.
- Example: “I wish my daughter weren’t so khaki wacky. She needs to focus on her schooling.”
Killer Diller
Meaning:
- (Adjective): The 40’s equivalent of awesome. If something is killer diller, it’s amazingly good.
- Example: “I bought a killer diller dress the other day at the store.”
Kilroy Was Here
Meaning:
- (Expression): Some say this is one of the earliest examples of memes as we know them today. Kilroy was here was a common graffiti phrase that was painted on walls everywhere.
Kisser
Meaning:
- (Noun): Your mouth.
- Example: “I punched Henry right in the kisser.”
Knocked Out
Meaning:
- (Adjective): To be put into a state of unconsciousness, often forcibly.
- Example: “He got knocked out by a boxer in the ring.”
Knucklehead
Meaning:
- (Noun): A silly person.
- Example: “My cousin is a knucklehead who tried to lie his way into the military.”
L
Landing Gear
Meaning:
- (Noun): Fun 40’s slang for legs.
- Example: “Look at the landing gear on that dame!”
M
Moolah
Meaning:
- (Noun): See Greenbacks.
Mug
Meaning:
- (Noun): A word used to describe your face.
- Example: “He’s got a real mean-looking mug, doesn’t he?”
O
Old Lady
Meaning:
- (Noun): In later years, this term would come to be used more often to refer to your girlfriend, but in the 40’s, it was common to apply it to your own mother.
- Example: “My old lady wants me home before sunset.”
P
Pain in the Neck/Ass
Meaning:
- (Noun): Anything that’s a hassle to deal with. You can say neck or ass depending on how vulgar you want to be.
- Example: “I have to be honest, my son is a pain in the neck.”
Pass the Buck
Meaning:
- (Verb): Passing the responsibility onto someone else. Leaving an issue for someone else to deal with.
- Example: “You are not going to pass the buck to me. That’s not my problem.”
Patsy
Meaning:
- (Noun): Your fall guy. Someone who takes the blame for something you did.
- Example: “Roger uses his brother, Kevin, as his patsy.”
Pennies from Heaven
Meaning:
- (Noun): Money that’s very easily and effortlessly earned.
- Example: “I always take my old cans down to the recycling plant to turn in as scrap for cash. It’s like getting pennies from heaven.”
R
Rag
Meaning:
- (Verb): To make fun of or tease someone else.
- Example: “Will you please stop ragging on me?”
Rhubarb
Meaning:
- (Noun): A loud argument or shouting match.
- Example: “He got into a rhubarb with his wife when he didn’t get home until two in the morning last night.”
Roughhouse
Meaning:
- (Verb): Playing roughly with someone.
- Example: “Stop roughhousing with your brother and help me make dinner!”
Rub Out
Meaning:
- (Verb): Euphemism for killing someone.
- Example: “We’re going to have to rub him out if he doesn’t keep quiet.”
Rug
Meaning:
- (Noun): Slang term for a wig.
- Example: “Our teacher wears a rug to hide his chrome dome.”
Run Out of Gas
Meaning:
- (Verb): To gradually become less and less interested or energetic.
- Example: “She ran out of gas after doing the jitterbug for half an hour.”
Rusty Dusty
Meaning:
- (Noun): Slang term for your backside.
S
Sauced
Meaning:
- (Adjective): To be deeply intoxicated.
- Example: “Whew, you can smell the alcohol on his breath. He’s sauced, all right.”
Schnook
Meaning:
- (Noun): A person who’s very gullible.
- Example: “I’m looking for a schnook to buy my junk at the right price.”
Share Crop
Meaning:
- (Noun): The female version of “active duty.” A woman who sleeps around.
Smooch
Meaning:
- (Verb): To kiss someone. This one is still around today!
- Example: “Come here and give me a big smooch!”
Snap Your Cap
Meaning:
- (Verb): To get angry. See Blow a Fuse.
Souse
Meaning:
- (Noun): An individual who drinks too much.
- Example: “There’s a souse lying in the gutter outside. Should we call someone?”
Specs
Meaning:
- (Noun): A pair of prescription glasses.
- Example: “I feel so ugly in my new specs!”
Spew
Meaning:
- (Verb): The act of vomiting.
- Example: “If Theodore doesn’t stop drinking soon, he’s going to spew.”
Spiffy
Meaning:
- (Adjective): Good-looking, attractive.
- Example: “He looks spiffy in his new suit.”
Stompers
Meaning:
- (Noun): 1940’s slang word for shoes.
- Example: “I’ll need to buy a new pair of stompers soon. Mine are falling apart.”
Read Next: Slang Words for Shoes
Sugar Daddy
Meaning:
- (Noun): A wealthy older man who monetarily supports a younger woman.
- Example: “Mr. Underwood, my sugar daddy, bought me my new dress.”
Sugar Report
Meaning:
- (Noun): More military slang. This term refers to a letter you received from your girlfriend or wife back home.
- Example: “I just got my sugar report and need some time to look over it.”
Swigger
Meaning:
- (Noun): See Souse.
T
T.S.
Meaning:
- (Expression): Military acronym that can mean either “tough situation” or “tough s***.”
Take a Gander
Meaning:
- (Verb): To take a look at or examine something.
- Example: “Come take a look at this counterfeit money a customer just gave me.”
Take a Powder
Meaning:
- (Verb): To leave.
- Example: “Now that the party’s over, I’m going to take a powder if you don’t mind.”
The Sticks
Meaning:
- (Noun): See Boondocks.
Through the Wringer
Meaning:
- (Adjective): When someone has been harshly interrogated.
- Example: “The cops really put Bob through the wringer when he was wrongfully suspected of his neighbor’s murder.”
Two Cents’ Worth
Meaning:
- (Noun): Your opinion.
- Example: “Well, if you want my two cents’ worth…I think she’s having an affair.”
U
Unmentionables
Meaning:
- (Noun): A woman’s undergarments.
- Example: “Whenever Lois bends over, you can see her unmentionables. Should we tell her?”
W
Whistle Dixie
Meaning:
- (Verb): When you’re wrong about something.
- Example: “If you keep hiring gumshoes to tail your wife, you’re whistling dixie.”
Y
Yuck
Meaning:
- (Noun): An idiot. See Knucklehead.
Wrap Up
If you didn’t think history was interesting, hopefully this list of 40’s slang taught you otherwise. It’s intriguing to see how people from previous generations spoke. If you have grandparents or relatives who were alive during the 40’s, try using some of these terms and see if they remember using them!
The 40’s weren’t the only years with their own unique language. Take a gander at our list of 80’s slang words and phrases to learn what people were saying in this technicolor decade.
