The Flapper’s Dictionary

These are the words that originated in the 1920s which were used by flappers…some of these are still used today.

Dimbox – a taxicab

Flatwheeler – a young man who takes a young lady to an egg harbor

Egg harbor – a fall dance

Clothesline – one who tells neighborhood stories

Whiskbroom – a man who cultivates whiskers

Let’s blouse – let’s go

Crabhanger – reformer

Shifter – a grafter

Snugglepup – young man who frequents petting parties

Petting party – social event devoted to hugging

Finale hopper – young man who arrives after all bills are paid

Hiphound – one who drinks hootch

Sodbuster – an undertaker

Applesauce – flattery or bunk

Weeping willow – same as crepehanger

Ritz – stuck up

Alarm clock – a chaperone

Father time – any man over 30 years

Sugar – money

Urban set – a new gown

His blue serge – his girl

Cutting yourself a piece of cake – making yourself wait patiently

Dog Kennels – pair of shoes

Dogs – feet

Stilts – legs

Mouthpiece – lawyer

Handcuff – engagement ring

Stutter-tub – motor boat

An alibi – a box of flowers

Anchor – bank roll

Monogolist – young man who hates himself

Dropping the plot – getting a divorce

Appleknocker – a hick

Biscuit – a pettable flapper

Butt me – give me a cigarette

Barney – a scandal walker

Dincher – a half smoked cigarette

Ear muffs – radio receivers

Dingledangler – one who persists in telephoning

Cake basket – a limousine

Statts (?) – conversation that means nothing

Oilcan – an imposter

Fire alarm – a divorced woman

Cuddle-cootie – young man who takes a girl for a ride on a bus

Forty-niner – man who is prospecting for a rich wife

Tomato – good looking girl with no brains

Slat – young man

Strike breaker – young woman who goes with her friend’s “steady” while there is a coolness

Dud – a wall flower

Cake-eater – harmless lounge lizard

Noodle-juice – tea

Boob-tickler – girl who has to entertain her father’s customers from out of town

Barney-muggin – love-making

Brush-ape – anyone from the sticks – a hayshaker

Cake-eater – a wearer of tight clothes, belted coat with spear like lapels and one button, sausage trousers, low quick fitting collar, greenish pink shirt; and one of those jazzbo ties that gives you the giggles

Cat’s pajamas – anything that’s good

Dapper – a flapper’s father

Darb – gink with a roll of coin

Finale hopper – always ready to promise the last wrestle and never there when it comes around; the spendthrift who arrives after the ticket-takers have departed

Snake-charmer – a female bootlegger

Dive-ducat – subway ticket

Mad money – carfare home if she has a fight with her escort

Hikers – knickerbockers

Whangdoodle – jazz band

Grubstake – invitation to dinner

Pillowcase – young man who is full of feathers

Feathers – small talk

Hush money – allowance from father

Bean-picker – one who tries to patch up trouble

Corn-shredder – young man who dances on lady’s feet

Police-dog – young woman’s fiancé

Airedale – homely man

Fig leaf – one piece bathing suit

John D. – an oily person

Sweetie – anybody she hates

Frog’s eyebrows – nice, fine

Fluky – funny, odd, different

Goof – flapper’s intoxicated

Half cut – happily intoxicated

Kippy – neat or nice

Neckers – those who park while dancing

Sharpshooter – a good dancer (who spends his money freely)

Strangler – what a spendthrift isn’t

Toddler – a finale hopper’s faster sister

Sap – a finale hopper

Smoke-eater – a girl cigarette user

Plastered – a synonym for pie-eyed; oiled; intoxicated

They – refers to objecting parents

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