70s Slang Words and Sayings (101+ Examples

If you weren’t alive in the 70’s, likely the only things you know about the decade include disco and Star Wars. But those that have lived through the 70’s remember a unique and colorful zeitgeist that was filled with all kinds of pop cultural references.

We’ve gathered a list of 70’s slang words and sayings. Many of the sayings in this list are still used widely today. Let’s see how many you’ve heard before…

Table of Contents

70s Slang Words and Sayings (in Alphabetical Order)

A

And a Half

Meaning:

(Expression): This was a phrase you would use to exaggerate something. Add it to the end of just about any adjective or noun to heighten your message.
Example: “That was a nightmare and a half.”

Are You Decent?

Meaning:

(Expression): Asking someone this was how you’d check that they were dressed and ready to see you.
Example: “Is okay if I come chillax at your pad? Are you decent?”

B

Bad

Meaning:

(Adjective): Like in 80’s slang, bad is a good thing. Describing something as bad is actually saying it’s cool or good.
Example: “That new Led Zeppelin album was BAD!”

Be There or Be Square

Meaning:

(Expression): Anytime you invited someone somewhere, you ended your invitation with “be there or be square.” Given that square often meant dork or loser, this means that someone would be a loser if they didn’t accept your invitation.
Example: “I’m having a birthday party this weekend. Be there or be square!”

Bitchin’

Meaning:

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

Bogart

Meaning:

(Verb): To selfishly keep something to yourself, to hog something.
Example: “Don’t bogart the boob tube – I want to watch something.”

Bogue

Meaning:

(Adjective): Anything that’s gross, bad, or disgusting.
Example: “That album was bogue, dude.”

Boob Tube

Meaning:

(Noun): This isn’t as dirty as it sounds – it just means television.
Example: “I caught a movie on the boob tube last night.”

Boogy/Boogie

Meaning:

(Verb): To dance.
Example: “Angela loves to boogie on the weekend.”

Book

Meaning:

(Verb): To rush somewhere.
Example: “Catch you on the flipside – I’ve gotta book it.”

Brick House

Meaning:

(Noun): A woman who’s curvy in a sexually attractive way. This was made popular by the 1977 song “Brick House” by the Commodores.
Example: “I’m one lucky man because my girlfriend is a brick house.”

Brother

Meaning:

(Noun): Kind of like bro in the modern era. You use this to refer to any of your male friends.
Example: “Pass me the joint, brother.”

Bummer

Meaning:

(Noun): Bad news or an event that is otherwise dreary, uninteresting, or unpleasant.
Example:
Person 1: “Did you hear that our favorite club burnt down?”
Person 2: “Bummer!”

Burn

Meaning:

(Verb): To insult or embarrass someone.
Example: “I totally burnt him.”

Buzz Off

Meaning:

(Expression): A phrase that essentially means, “leave me alone” or “go away.”
Example: “I had to tell Jay to buzz off.”

C

Can You Dig It?

Meaning:

(Expression): A way of asking someone if they like or agree with something.
Example: “I got a new haircut. Can you dig it?”

Catch My Drift

Meaning:

(Expression): You say this to confirm that someone understands you.
Example: “I spent the night at her pad, if you catch my drift.”

Catch You on the Flipside

Meaning:

(Expression): A 70’s slang phrase that means good-bye.
Example: “I’ve gotta go. Catch you on the flipside!”

Cats

Meaning:

(Noun): You can apply this term to anyone. It just means people.
Example: “That dude was one cool cat.”

Check Ya Later

Meaning:

(Expression): Another way to say good-bye.

Chill

Meaning:

(Verb): To be calm or stay cooled off.
Example: “Chill, chump. Everything is okay.”

Chillaxin’

Meaning:

(Verb): Hanging out somewhere in a relaxed manner, usually with friends.
Example: “I’m just chillaxin’ at home at the moment.”

Chump

Meaning:

(Noun): An insulting word for someone who’s a fool.
Example: “Stop being such a chump.”

Copacetic

Meaning:

(Adjective): A word that was made popular by Steve Martin. It means cool or all right.
Example: “Everything is copacetic, dude.”

D

Damn It, Jim

Meaning:

(Expression): Phrase that actually comes from Star Trek. You can use it to express frustration or bemusement with someone.

Deece

Meaning:

(Adjective): Shortening of the word “decent.” It’s another word for cool.

Dig

Meaning:

(Verb): To like someone or something.
Example: “Will really digs your new look.”

Disco

Meaning:

(Adjective): Something that is really trendy, up-to-date, or cool. It’s also worth noting that this was a kind of music that became especially popular in the 70’s.

Doobie

Meaning:

(Noun): A cigarette with marijuana in it.
Example: “Hand me that doobie, brother.”

Dork

Meaning:

(Noun): A nerdy person. Can sometimes also be used to refer to a stupid individual.
Example: “Cheryl is a dork and a half.”

Down

Meaning:

(Adjective): To be willing or even excited to do something.
Example: “I’m down to go to the disco tonight if you are.”

Dream On

Meaning:

(Expression): Phrase used to encourage someone to be more realistic or to get their head out of the clouds.
Example:
Person 1: “Do you think Chelsey likes me?”
Person 2: “Dream on, dude.”

Dude

Meaning:

(Noun): An extremely versatile word that you can call any man.
Example: “Here’s the skinny, dude…”

Dynamite

Meaning:

(Adjective): Usually said with each syllable carefully enunciated like the following: dyn-o-mite! This means that something is good or amazing.

F

Fab

Meaning:

(Adjective): Shortened version of the word “fabulous.” This is another word that means something is amazing.
Example: “The new Aerosmith song is fab, dude!”

Far Out

Meaning:

(Adjective): If something is far out, it’s cool.
Example: “I had a far out time at the bar last night.”

Flower Power

Meaning:

(Expression): This means peace in a literal sense of the word. It’s an anti-war sentiment that you can shout.

Foxy

Meaning:

(Adjective): Sexy. A person, normally a woman, who’s very attractive.
Example: “Your lady is one foxy mama!”

Freaky Deaky

Meaning:

(Adjective): Something that’s messed up or strange.
Example: “Something freaky deaky happened to me last night.”

Fry

Meaning:

(Noun): An event or object that freaked you out or effectively “fried” your brain with its craziness.
Example: “Did you hear about our teacher winning the lottery? What a fry!”

Funky

Meaning:

(Adjective): Cool. It can sometimes be a negative word that means bad or strange, too.
Example: “Whew, your house smells funky, dude.”

G

Get Real

Meaning:

(Expression): See Dream On.

Get Your Groove On

Meaning:

(Expression): See Boogie.

Gig

Meaning:

(Noun): Someone’s job.
Example: “I can’t stay up late tonight because I’ve got my gig to worry about tomorrow.”

Gimme Some Skin

Meaning:

(Expression): Asking someone to give you a high-five.
Example: “That was awesome! Gimme some skin, dude.”

Go Bananas

Meaning:

(Verb): To go crazy. It can be used in a positive sense or a negative sense.
Example: “Let’s go bananas at the party later.”

Good Vibes

Meaning:

(Noun): A good, healthy atmosphere or feeling.
Example: “I only allow good vibes in my pad.”

Gravy

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Awesome.

Groovy

Meaning:

(Adjective): Another slang word that means cool.

H

Heavy

Meaning:

(Adjective): To be intense or emotionally charged.
Example: “Miranda said we need to talk. It was really heavy.”

Here’s the Skinny

Meaning:

(Expression): Saying this means you’re going to dish some details to someone.
Example:
Person 1: “Can you tell me what Eva really thinks of me?”
Person 2: “Okay, here’s the skinny on Eva…”

Hip

Meaning:

(Adjective): Up-to-date or stylish by modern standards.
Example: “That dress is so hip!”

Hubba Hubba

Meaning:

(Expression): A phrase that indicates you find someone attractive.
Example: “Will you get a look at that foxy mama? Hubba hubba.”

I

In Your Face

Meaning:

(Expression): This is something you could shout after embarrassingly beating someone in something.
Example: “In your face, brother! I win!”

J

Jeepers Creepers

Meaning:

(Interjection): An exclamation that can be used to show you’re feeling excited, stressed out, freaked out, or even angry. It’s the 70’s equivalent to “oh, my god.”
Example: “Jeepers creepers, that movie scared me!”

Jinkies

Meaning:

(Interjection): This phrase might have been made even more popular by the rise of Scooby Doo. See Jeepers Creepers.

Jive

Meaning:

(Verb) Jiving means you’re lying or not being straight with someone. It can also mean simply having a conversation.
Example: “Are you jiving to me right now?”

Jive Turkey

Meaning:

(Noun): An insult for a bad person or someone you dislike.
Example: “Jason is a jive turkey, so I don’t invite him to my pad anymore.”

K

Keen

Meaning:

(Noun): A word that essentially means cool. See Awesome.

Keep On Keepin’ On

Meaning:

(Expression): An encouraging phrase that either wishes you a good day or tells you to keep going.
Example: “Well, I got to head out. Keep on keepin’ on, dude.”

Keep on Truckin’

Meaning:

(Expression): See Keep On Keepin’ On.

L

Later Days

Meaning:

(Expression): Another way to say good-bye. See Catch You on the Flipside.

Let’s Blow this Taco Stand

Meaning:

(Expression): Let’s get out of here. Say this when you want to leave a particular place.
Example: “Looks like the party is winding down. Let’s blow this taco stand.”

Like

Meaning:

(Interjection): Like started to see frequent use as a filler word in the 70’s. In this sense, it’s used like “um” or “uh” – you say it when you’re not sure what else to say.
Example: “I’m, like, so tired.”

M

May the Force Be with You

Meaning:

(Expression): Star Wars was first released in the 70’s, so this iconic Jedi phrase started to see popular use then. You say this as a polite way of saying good-bye or wishing someone well.
Example: “Good luck, and may the Force be with you.”

Mellow Out

Meaning:

(Expression): Calm down. Usually, you said this to convince someone who was upset to relax a little.
Example: “Mellow out – I didn’t eat your candy.”

Mind Your Potatoes

Meaning:

(Expression): Keeping to yourself or minding your own business.
Example: “You better mind your potatoes or I’ll get you in trouble.”

N

Narc

Meaning:

(Noun): A person who can’t keep a secret. Someone who tattles on you.
Example: “Don’t be a narc, Bob. Let us have our fun.”

Neato

Meaning:

(Adjective): Another word for cool. See also Awesome.

Nifty

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Awesome.

O

Off the Hook

Meaning:

(Expression): Another phrase that means something is cool or great. You can use it similarly to how you’d say awesome.

Out of Sight

Meaning:

(Expression): See Off the Hook.

Out to Lunch

Meaning:

(Expression): To be confused.
Example: “I’m out to lunch – can you explain that again?”

P

Pad

Meaning:

(Noun): Your home.
Example: “I’m going to have a party at my pad tomorrow night.”

Peace

Meaning:

(Verb): To be chill or relaxed. You can also use it to say good-bye to someone.
Example: “Peace, brother. Catch you on the flipside.”

Phony

Meaning:

(Noun): A deceptive person or object. Someone who’s fake.
Example: “Richard’s a real phony who never tells the truth about anything.”

Primo

Meaning:

(Adjective): High in quality, the best of something.
Example: “Ron has a primo stash at home.”

Psych/Sike

Meaning:

(Interjection): A word you can shout to indicate you were joking about something.
Example: “I ate all your food while you were gone…sike!”

Psychedelic

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Awesome.

R

Radical

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Awesome.

Right On

Meaning:

(Expression): You can say this to indicate you agree with something, that you think something is correct, or that you think something is cool.
Example:
Person 1: “I bought a new car yesterday.”
Person 2: “Right on! Now you can drive me around.”

Rip Off

Meaning:

(Expression): To spend your money on something that wasn’t worth it. A scam.
Example: “This shirt was a rip off. I’ve only worn it once, and it’s already torn.”

S

Scarf

Meaning:

(Verb): To eat something really fast.
Example: “I was so hungry, I scarfed down my sandwich.”

Shag

Meaning:

(Verb): To have sex with someone.
Example: “Did you shag Angela?”

Shagadelic

Meaning:

(Adjective): Given that shag refers to sex, it’s easy to guess what this one means. Shagadelic is a word you can apply to a sexy person.
Example: “Wouldn’t you agree that Margaret is totally shagadelic?”

Shaggin’ Wagon

Meaning:

(Noun): You’ve probably seen one of these vans parodied in a movie or show before. Shaggin’ wagons were huge, decked out vans that often had custom paint jobs and a bed in the back for obvious reasons.
Example: “I had Margaret in my shaggin’ wagon the other night.”

Sit on It

Meaning:

(Expression): This is a phrase you say to tell someone to leave you alone, shut up, or go away.
Example: “Oh, sit on it, Mark. Stop bragging about your stupid wagon.”

Skinny

Meaning:

(Noun): The truth or information on something.
Example: “Do you have the skinny on that?”

Solid

Meaning:

(Adjective): Another word for cool. Oftentimes, you would ask someone for a favor by saying, “do me a solid.”

Square

Meaning:

(Noun): A versatile word that can either mean a nerd or a cigarette.
Example: “Mark’s a total square. He thinks his shaggin’ wagon makes him a cool cat.”

Learn More: Slang Words for Cigarettes

Stash

Meaning:

(Noun): A hidden supply of some kind of forbidden material. Usually, this referred to drugs.
Example: “Come on back to my pad and we can smoke a bit of my stash together.”

T

Take a Chill Pill

Meaning:

(Expression): See Mellow Out.

That Was the Joint

Meaning:

(Expression): A way of saying that something was cool.
Example: “That song was the joint!”

The Lowdown

Meaning:

(Noun): Inside information on something. The scoop.
Example: “If you’ll shut up for a second, I can give you the lowdown on the situation.”

The Man

Meaning:

(Noun): A general phrase used to refer to anyone in authority, but often reserved for cops.
Example: “Don’t let the man see what you’re doing or you’ll get arrested.”

The Rabbit Died

Meaning:

(Expression): An extremely old expression that’s been around for decades. It can be used to refer to a pregnancy.

Threads

Meaning:

(Noun): Your clothes.
Example: “Can you dig my new threads?”

To the Max

Meaning:

(Expression): When something is the best. See Primo.

Totally

Meaning:

(Adjective): An accentuating word that you use to emphasize a point.
Example: “John’s new threads are totally hip.”

Tough

Meaning:

(Adjective): Another word for cool.

Trippy

Meaning:

(Adjective): Can mean either cool or weird in a druggy sort of way.
Example: “This Pink Floyd song is so trippy.”

Tubular

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Awesome.

U

Up Your Nose with a Rubber Hose

Meaning:

(Expression): Refusal or rejection of something or someone.
Example:
Person 1: “Wanna chill in my shaggin’ wagon with me?”
Person 2: “Up your nose with a rubber hose, Mark.”

W

Way Cool

Meaning:

(Adjective): When something is a step beyond cool.
Example: “I don’t know, brother, I think Mark’s shaggin’ wagon is way cool. I wish I had one.”

What’s Happening?

Meaning:

(Expression): A 70’s way of saying, “what’s up?” A casual greeting.
Example: “What’s happenin, foxy mama?”

What’s Your 20?

Meaning:

(Expression): This phrase comes from a CB radio term. In CB radio, 20 means your location. Asking someone what their 20 is means asking them where they are right now.
Example: “What’s your 20, dude? I’ve been waiting here for an hour.”

Wicked

Meaning:

(Adjective): See Way Cool. This is sometimes also pronounced as “wicket.”

Wowzers

Meaning:

(Interjection): A phrase you can say when something is amazing.
Example: “Wowzers, Marianne, that’s a hip skirt.”

Z

Zoinks

Meaning:

(Interjection): A horrified exclamation. You may have heard Shaggy yelling this in Scooby Doo when he sees a ghost.
Example: “Zoinks! Like, let’s get out of here!”

Wrap Up

The 70’s had some fun vocabulary that was in common use. Many of these words and phrases are still said a lot today.

But the 70’s weren’t the only decade with some crazy slang. The 90’s also had a colorful vernacular, which you can learn more about in our list of 90’s slang words and phrases.