60’s Slang Words and Phrases (101+ Examples

If you’re studying pop culture from certain time frames, one great place to start is by looking at the lingo from the time. What people were commonly saying as slang is often an indication of what societal changes were taking place.

That’s why we’ve created this list of 60’s slang words and phrases. We think researching the past can be a blast – whether you’re doing it for nostalgia, for fun, or as a study.

Let’s show you what we found.

Table of Contents

60’s Slang Words and Phrases (in Alphabetical Order)

A

Amped

Meaning:

(Adjective): To be excited or eager for something.
Example: “I’m so amped for The Beatles show!”

Ants in Their Paints

Meaning:

(Expression): Someone who is extremely hyper, impatient, or has a lot of energy.
Example: “Looks like John’s got ants in his pants right now – he won’t stop tapping his feet!”

Ate It

Meaning:

(Expression): When someone has done something clumsy or injured themselves.
Example: “Bob ate it on his surfboard earlier.”

B

Babe

Meaning:

(Noun): A way you could refer to any woman, but it was usually applied specifically to attractive women.
Example: “What’s cookin, babe?”

Bad

Meaning:

(Adjective): Just like with 70’s slang, bad actually means good! Anything that’s cool, you can call bad.
Example: “Does anyone else think that new Star Wars movie was so bad?”

Bag

Meaning:

(Verb): To steal something. Taking something that isn’t yours.
Example: “Did you bag my glasses? I need those, man!”

Bail

Meaning:

(Verb): Depart. To leave a location.
Example: “Let’s bail, babe. I’m sick of this place.”

Bang

Meaning:

(Verb): To have sex with someone.
Example: “Did Robert and Tamara bang last night?”

More Like This: British Slang Words for Sex

Bats in the Belfry

Meaning:

(Expression): Someone who’s a little bit crazy or behaving strangely.
Example: “Angie must have bats in the belfry because she keeps making weird faces.”

Beam Me Up, Scotty

Meaning:

(Expression): A quote that originally comes from Star Trek, although the actual quote is, “Scotty, beam me up.” You can say this whenever something is really bizarre.
Example: “Well, beam me up, Scotty! I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Beat Feet

Meaning:

(Verb): To leave. See Bail.

Beats Me

Meaning:

(Expression): Another way of saying, “I don’t know.”
Example:
Person 1: “Where did Patricia go?”
Person 2: “Beats me. I didn’t even see her bail.”

Beef

Meaning:

(Noun): To have a bone to pick with someone or a grudge. This is still a common phrase to use today.
Example: “I don’t understand why Bob has beef with me. I never did anything to him.”

Bell Bottoms

Meaning:

(Noun): A type of pants that were popular in the 60’s. They were tight at the waist and flared out on the bottom.
Example: “I’ll never understand why people wear bell bottoms.”

Bent Out of Shape

Meaning:

(Expression): To be upset or angry. It can also mean that you’re drunk.
Example: “Don’t get bent out of shape, Cheri, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Meaning:

(Expression): Something that’s amazing. You don’t apply this to something that’s merely good – it has to be truly awesome.
Example: “This new album is the best thing since sliced bread.”

Big Brother

Meaning:

(Noun): The government. Could be applied to anyone in authority, really, but it mainly meant the government.
Example: “Big Brother is always watching you.”

Bitchin’

Meaning:

(Adjective): Something that’s really good. See also Bad.

Blast

Meaning:

(Noun): Something that’s a lot of fun or is also good. This is essentially a milder way of saying bitchin.’
Example: “That party was a blast!”

Blitzed

Meaning:

(Adjective): To be drunk.
Example: “Joe got blitzed at the bar last night. Bet he’s feeling it today.”

Blow Chunks

Meaning:

(Verb): To vomit.
Example: “I blew chunks after drinking too much.”

Blow Your Mind

Meaning:

(Expression): Something that amazes you.
Example: “The latest Pink Floyd album blew my mind.”

Bogart

Meaning:

(Verb): To selfishly keep something. Refusing to share.
Example: “Don’t bogart the beer, man. Share some with me.”

Boob Tube

Meaning:

(Noun): Another word for television.
Example: “I just want to go home and watch the boob tube for a bit.”

Book

Meaning:

(Verb): To leave somewhere quickly.
Example: “We’ll have to book it to the party, or we’ll miss the fun.”

Boss

Meaning:

(Adjective): A word for cool.
Example: “This song is boss!”

Bread

Meaning:

(Noun): A 70’s slang word for money.
Example: “I need to put in some extra hours to earn some more bread.”

Bug

Meaning:

(Verb): To annoy someone.
Example: “Stop bugging me and beat feet.”

Bummer

Meaning:

(Noun): Bad news or anything unpleasant.
Example: “It was such a bummer to hear that I’ll have to do summer school.”

Burn Rubber

Meaning:

(Verb): To gun the engine in your car so the tires make a screeching sound on the pavement.

C

Cat

Meaning:

(Noun): A neutral term for any person but was generally used for men.
Example: “I have to say that Roy is one cool cat.”

Catch Some Rays

Meaning:

(Expression): To get some sunshine. Usually used when you’re getting tan.
Example: “Alison wants to catch some rays after school.”

Catch Some Z’s

Meaning:

(Expression): Sleeping or just taking a nap.
Example: “I’m going to catch some z’s quick before the party later.”

Chick

Meaning:

(Noun): A woman.
Example: “Take a look at that chick over there!”

Chill

Meaning:

(Verb): To be calm or relaxed.
Example: “Chill, man. How about your catch some z’s, since you’re so bent out of shape?”

Chrome Dome

Meaning:

(Noun): A bald man. This references how a bald person’s head can be shiny.
Example: “Will you look at that chrome dome in the bell bottoms?”

Cool

Meaning:

(Adjective): Cool has actually been around for a long time, but it was widely used in the 70’s for anything good.
Example: “Cool wheels, man.”

Crash

Meaning:

(Verb): To fall asleep abruptly from exhaustion.
Example: “I’m just going to go home and crash tonight. I’m exhausted.”

Crock

Meaning:

(Noun): A single lie or a pack of them.
Example: “What a crock! Why don’t you tell me the truth?”

Cruisin’ for a Bruisin’

Meaning:

(Expression): When someone is out looking for trouble. Usually applied to when someone is knowingly doing something that will cause them to come into conflict with another person.
Example: “Carl, you’re crusin’ for a bruisin’ if you keep bugging me.”

Cut Me Some Slack!

Meaning:

(Expression): Another way of saying, “give me a break!” Asking someone to be kinder to you.
Example: “Cut me some slack, man, I’m doing my best.”

D

Dig It

Meaning:

(Expression): To like something.
Example: “I can dig the new Pink Floyd song.”

Don’t Flip Your Wig

Meaning:

(Expression): Calm down. You say this to someone in anticipation that they’ll be freaking out over something.
Example: “Jennifer, don’t flip your wig. Chill!”

Dough

Meaning:

(Noun): See Bread.

Dove

Meaning:

(Noun): A pacifistic person.
Example: “Cheri is a real dove. She hates getting into trouble.”

Duck’s Ass/DA

Meaning:

(Noun): A type of men’s haircut that was especially popular in the 50’s and referenced in the 60’s. This was slicked back hair that kind of made the man’s head look like a duck’s rear end. Also sometimes called a ducktail.
Example: “The ducktail is really ugly. Might want to fix up your hair.”

F

Fab Four

Meaning:

(Noun): The Beatles – the original boy band. Easily one of the most famous musical acts of all time.
Example: “Are you going to see the Fab Four this weekend?”

Far Out

Meaning:

(Adjective): Another way of saying something is cool.
Example: “The concert last weekend was far out!”

Flip Flops

Meaning:

(Noun): A type of shoe still widely worn today. Sandals that are held in place by a strap between your toes.
Example: “I love my new flip flips!”

Flower Child

Meaning:

(Noun): A word that is synonymous with hippie. A Flower Child was a participant in the Flower Power movement, which we’ll define more below.
Example: “Carla calls herself a Flower Child, but I don’t think she’s serious about it.”

Flower Power

Meaning:

(Noun): A political movement that can be summed up as widespread love and acceptance. Many participants gave rise to the modern-day stereotypical concept of hippies.

Fox

Meaning:

(Noun): An extremely attractive woman.
Example: “My boyfriend says I’m a fox, but I think he’s being generous.”

Freak Flag

Meaning:

(Noun): A term popularized by Jimi Hendrix in 1967. Your freak flag is a unique trait that’s yours. For instance, you might say you’re flying your freak flag when you’re just being yourself and proud of it.
Example: “I’m gonna fly my freak flag high.”

Funky

Meaning:

(Adjective): A descriptive word that could be used to refer to something good or bad.

G

Gas

Meaning:

(Noun): An event that’s entertaining.
Example: “Don’t miss out on the show – it’s going to be a gas!”

Groovy

Meaning:

(Adjective): A word you can apply to anything good or positive.
Example: “This song is groovy!”

H

Hacked/Hacked Off

Meaning:

(Expression): A very 60’s way to say you’re mad or extremely upset.
Example: “Careful – he’s hacked off right now.”

Hang Loose

Meaning:

(Expression): To chill out or relax.
Example: “Don’t forget to hang loose this weekend.”

Head

Meaning:

(Noun): Someone who used a lot of recreational drugs.
Example: “He’s a head, so conversations with him can get funky.”

Heavy

Meaning:

(Adjective): Anything that’s emotionally charged or has a lot of depth.
Example: “The lyrics in that Beatles song are so heavy. I need to think about them.”

Hip

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Cool.

Hippie

Meaning:

(Noun): This term is a politically loaded one. Nowadays, you might think of it as someone who smokes a lot of marijuana and talks about free love, but in the 60’s, hippies were the followers of a political movement that eschewed and harshly criticized The Establishment. They were part of the counterculture.

Holy Smokes

Meaning:

(Interjection): An expression that is like the 60’s equivalent of, “oh, my god.” You could exclaim this whenever something overwhelmed you.
Example: “Holy smokes, she is one foxy chick.”

Hot Stuff

Meaning:

(Adjective): Someone or something that’s cool or up-to-date culturally.
Example: “Rodney thinks he’s hot stuff, but he’s full of crock.”

Hunk

Meaning:

(Noun): The male equivalent of fox. A man who’s sexually attractive.
Example: “I think Jimi Hendrix is such a hunk!”

I

In the Left Field

Meaning:

(Expression): Use this to describe anyone who’s out of touch.
Example: “I never talk to Janet because she’s always in the left field.”

It’s Snowing Down South

Meaning:

(Expression): In the 60’s, many women wore slips under their dresses that were typically white in color. Thus, if it was snowing down south, it was a warning that your slip was showing.
Example: “Hey, Janet, it’s snowing down south.”

L

Lay It on Me

Meaning:

(Expression): A request that someone tell you the truth.
Example: “Does Jen really like me? Lay it on me.”

M

Man

Meaning:

(Noun): A general way of referring to any guy, similar to cat.

Mellow

Meaning:

(Adjective): In a state of relaxation, calm, or contentment.
Example: “I’m feeling so mellow right now.”

Mop-top

Meaning:

(Noun): A hairstyle that was popularized by The Beatles. This hairstyle was long and shaggy.

N

Necking

Meaning:

(Verb): Making out with someone. Some might refer to this as second base.
Example: “I was necking with my boyfriend in the back of his car.”

Nice Wheels

Meaning:

(Expression): A compliment for someone’s car. This meant you thought their car was awesome.
Example: “Anthony’s got some nice wheels.”

No Sweat

Meaning:

(Expression): To say that something is okay. Usually, you’d say this if someone apologized to you and you accepted their apology. However, you might say it if someone thanked you to indicate the favor you did them wasn’t a big deal.
Example:
Person 1: “Thanks for helping me move into my new house.”
Person 2: “No sweat, man.”

O

Old Lady/Old Man

Meaning:

(Noun): Your girlfriend or boyfriend.
Example: “Val here is my old lady.”

Out of Sight/Outta Sight

Meaning:

(Expression): A saying that applies to anything awesome. See Far Out.

Out to Lunch

Meaning:

(Expression): You would describe someone as being “out to lunch” if they weren’t all there. It means zoned out, not paying attention, or confused.
Example: “You’ll have to explain it again, because it looks like Shaun was out to lunch.”

P

Pad

Meaning:

(Noun): Where you live. Your residence.
Example: “Want to chill at my pad tonight?”

Pig

Meaning:

(Noun): A derogatory term for a police officer. This one is still in wide use today.
Example: “Watch out for the pigs that always camp out here.”

R

Rain Catchers

Meaning:

(Noun): Cuffs on men’s pants that are turned up. So named because they looked like they could catch and hold rain.

Righteous

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Cool.

S

Scarf

Meaning:

(Verb): Devouring something really fast.
Example: “Why don’t you scarf down that steak so we can bail?”

Shades

Meaning:

(Noun): A pair of sunglasses.
Example: “Cool shades, man.”

Skirt

Meaning:

(Noun): Another word for a girl. See Chick.

Slug Bug

Meaning:

(Noun): A Volkswagon Beetle. In the 60’s, you would call out “slug bug” if you saw one while you were on the road.

Sock it to Me

Meaning:

(Expression): It essentially just means, “give it to me.” You can use it in the same sense as “lay it on me” or even in a sexual sense.

Split

Meaning:

(Verb): To leave the location. See Bail.

Square

Meaning:

(Noun): A nerd, someone who’s not cool.
Example: “Don’t be a square. Come chill with me.”

T

Take It Easy

Meaning:

(Expression): To relax or chill out. You could often say this as a good-bye to someone.

Tall Drink of Water

Meaning:

(Expression): Phrase that describes an attractive man. See Hunk.
Example: “Holy smokes, Harold is a tall drink of water!”

Teeny Bopper

Meaning:

(Noun): A somewhat insulting word to describe a teenager with.
Example: “Those teeny boppers will never understand what it’s like to work hard.”

The Establishment

Meaning:

(Noun): General term for the government. Usually used by counterculture members who oppose The Establishment.
Example: “Down with The Establishment!”

The Man

Meaning:

(Noun): Not to be mistaken with just man. When you add “the” in front of it, this term becomes a phrase that refers to political authority figures. Like The Establishment, it has a counterculture association.
Example: “Stick it to the man!”

Their S*** Doesn’t Stink

Meaning:

(Expression): When someone thinks their s*** doesn’t stink, they’re stuck-up. Use this phrase to refer to anyone who thinks too highly of themselves.
Example: “Eugene likes to think his s*** doesn’t stink, but he’s a square.”

Tough

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Cool.

Threads

Meaning:

(Noun): Your clothing.
Example: “I dig your new threads!”

Three Bricks Short of a Load

Meaning:

(Expression): When someone isn’t very bright or when they’re behaving crazily.
Example: “My grandma may be three bricks short of a load, but I love her, anyway.”

Truckin’

Meaning:

(Verb): A word that originally comes from blues music. It means that you’re moving somewhere with a specific goal in mind.
Example: “He’s truckin’ right now. Let him be.”

Turn Off

Meaning:

(Verb): To repel or disgust someone.
Example: “He turned her off with his funky smell.”

U

Unreal

Meaning:

(Adjective): Something that’s so amazingly good, you almost can’t believe it exists.
Example: “This sandwich is unreal!”

W

Way Out

Meaning:

(Expression): See Far Out.

Weirded Out

Meaning:

(Expression): To be shocked, confused, or even frightened by something.
Example: “His smile is weirding me out. I think we should bail on him.”

What’s Cooking?

Meaning:

(Expression): A casual greeting in the 60’s. If you were being flirtatious, you could end it with, “good-looking.”
Example: “What’s cooking, good looking?”

What’s the Hassle?

Meaning:

(Expression): To ask someone what their issue or problem is. It’s kind of like the 80’s slang phrase, “what’s your damage?”
Example: “What’s the hassle? You forgot so many other 60’s slang terms!”

Wipe Out

Meaning:

(Verb): To crash or injure yourself while doing something athletic.
Example: “He wiped out while we were surfing last night.

With It

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Cool.

Z

Zoned Out

Meaning:

(Adjective): Someone who’s lost in their own thoughts or daydreaming.
Example: “Stop zoning out and listen to me for a second.”

Wrap Up

The 60’s were a time of great changes and political upheaval. On top of that, they were filled with some of history’s greatest musical acts – it’s no wonder these years generated so many slang terms and phrases.

How many of these do you still hear today? Are there any we forgot? Leave us a comment below to discuss 60’s slang.