Murder at the The Grand Gatsby

◆ The Grand Gatsby Speaks ◆

1920s Slang

Don't get caught flat — brush up on your Prohibition-era lingo before the big night, see?

A
AldermanA man's pot belly.
AmecheTelephone
Ankle
  • ◆(n) Woman
  • ◆(v) To walk
B
BabeWoman
BabyA person, can be said to either a man or a woman
BangtailsRacehorses
BarberTalk
Baumes rushSenator Caleb H. Baumes sponsored a New York law (the Baumes Law) which called for automatic life imprisonment of any criminal convicted more than three times. Some criminals would move to a state that didn't have this law in order to avoid its penalty should they be caught again, and this was known as a "Baumes rush," because of the similarity to "bum's rush."
Be on the nut, ToTo be broke
Bean-shooterGun
BeefProblem
Bee's KneesAn extraordinary person, thing, idea; the ultimate.
BeezerNose
Behind the eight-ballIn a difficult position, in a tight spot
Bent carsStolen cars
Berries
  • ◆Dollars
  • ◆Something attractive; similar to "bee's knees"
Big Cheese / Big ShotThe boss. Someone of importance and influence
Big houseJail
Big one, TheDeath
Big sleep, TheDeath (coined by Chandler)
BingJailhouse talk for solitary confinement, hence "crazy"
BirdMan
BitPrison sentence
Blip offTo kill
BlowLeave
Blow one downKill someone
BlowerTelephone
BluenoseA prude.
BoPal, buster, fellow, as in "Hey, bo"
BoilerCar
BopTo kill
Box
  • ◆A safe
  • ◆A bar
Box jobA safecracking
Brace (somebody)Grab, shake up
BraceletsHandcuffs
Break it upStop that, quit the nonsense
BreezeTo leave, go; also breeze off: get lost
BrunoTough guy, enforcer
BucketCar
BulgeThe advantage, as in "The kid had the bulge there"
BullsPlainclothes railroad cops; uniformed police; prison guards
Bum's rush, To get theTo be kicked out
BumpKill
Bump gumsTo talk about nothing worthwhile
Bump offKill; also, bump-off: a killing
Buncoing some (people)Defrauding people
Bunk
  • ◆"Take a bunk" — leave, disappear
  • ◆"That's the bunk" — that's false, untrue
  • ◆"to bunk" — to sleep
BunnyDon't be stupid, as in "Don't be a bunny"
Burn powderFire a gun
BusBig car
ButtonFace, nose, end of jaw
Button manProfessional killer
ButtonsPolice
ButtsCigarettes
Buy a drinkTo pour a drink
BuzzerPoliceman's badge
C
C$100, a pair of Cs = $200
CabbageMoney
CabooseJail (from "calaboose," which derives from calabozo, the Spanish word for "jail")
Call copperInform the police
Can
  • ◆Jail
  • ◆Car
Can-openerSafecracker who opens cheap safes
CanaryWoman singer
Carry a TorchSuffering from an unrequited love.
Case dough"Nest egg ... the theoretically untouchable reserve for emergencies"
CatMan
Cat's MeowSomething splendid or stylish; similar to bee's knees.
Cat's Pajamas"I think yer the cat's pajamas" — term of endearment translated in today's terms as "I think you are really really cool".
Century$100
CheatersSunglasses
Cheese itPut things away, hide
ChewEat
Chicago lightningGunfire
Chicago overcoatCoffin
Chilled offKilled
ChinConversation; chinning: talking
Chin musicPunch on the jaw
ChiselTo swindle or cheat
Chiv / chiveKnife, "a stabbing or cutting weapon"
Chopper squadMen with machine guns
ChumpPerson marked for a con or a gullible person.
ClammedClose-mouthed (clammed up)
Clean sneakAn escape with no clues left behind
ClippedShot
Close your headShut up
CloutShoplifter
ClubhousePolice station
ConConfidence game, swindle
ConkHead
CoolTo knock out
CoolerJail
Cop
  • ◆Detective, even a private one
  • ◆To win, as in a bet
Copped, To beGrabbed by the cops
Copper
  • ◆Policeman
  • ◆Time off for good behavior
CrabFigure out
CrateCar
CroakTo kill
CroakerDoctor
CrushAn infatuation.
Crushed outEscaped (from jail)
CushMoney (a cushion, something to fall back on)
Cut downKilled (esp. shot)
D
DaisyNone too masculine
DameWoman
DangleLeave, get lost
DarbSomething remarkable or superior
DaylightPut a hole in, by shooting or stabbing, as in "let the daylight in" or "fill him with daylight"
DerrickShoplifter
DiapersClothes, get dressed, as in "Pin your diapers on"
DibShare (of the proceeds)
DickDetective (usually qualified with "private" if not a policeman)
DingusThing
DipPickpocket
Dip the billHave a drink
DishPretty woman
DiveA low-down, cheap sort of place
Dizzy with a dame, To beTo be deeply in love with a woman
DogsFeet
Doll / dollyWoman
DormyDormant, quiet
DoughMoney
DriftGo, leave
DrillShoot
Drink out of the same bottleWe were close friends
Drop a dimeMake a phone call, sometimes meaning to the police to inform on someone
DroppersHired killers
DrumSpeakeasy
Dry-gulchKnock out, hit on head after ambushing
Ducat
  • ◆Ticket
  • ◆For hobos, a union card or card asking for alms
Duck soupEasy, a piece of cake
DumpRoadhouse, club; or, more generally, any place
Dust
  • ◆Nothing, as in "Tinhorns are dust to me"
  • ◆Leave, depart, as in "Let's dust"
  • ◆A look, as in "Let's give it the dust"
Dust outLeave, depart
E
EggMan
Eggs in the coffeeEasy, a piece of cake, okay, all right
Elbow
  • ◆Policeman
  • ◆A collar or an arrest. Someone being arrested will "have their elbows checked."
Elephant earsPolice
F
FadeGo away, get lost
Fakeloo artistCon man
FellaA man
Fin$5 bill
FinderFinger man
Finger, Put the finger onIdentify
Flaming YouthThe male counterpart to a flapper.
FlapperA stylish, brash young woman with short skirts and shorter hair.
Flat
  • ◆Broke
  • ◆"That's flat" — that's for sure
Flat TireA dull-witted or disappointing date.
FlattieFlatfoot, cop
Flimflam(m)Swindle
FlippersHands
FlivverA Ford automobile
FloggerOvercoat
Flop
  • ◆Go to bed
  • ◆"The racket's flopped" — fallen through, not worked out
FogTo shoot
FrailWoman
FryTo be electrocuted
From nothingI don't know anything, as in "I know from nothing"
FuzzPolice
G
GalWoman
GamsLegs (especially a woman's)
GashouseRough, as in "getting gashouse"
GatGun
GateThe door, as in leave, as in "Give her the gate"
GeeMan
GeetusMoney
Get Sore (at someone)Get mad
Getaway sticksLegs (especially a woman's)
Giggle juiceLiquor
Giggle WaterLiquor
Gin millBar
GinkMan
GirlieWoman
Give a/the thirdInterrogate (third degree)
Glad ragsFancy clothes
Glom
  • ◆To steal
  • ◆To see, to take a look
GlaumSteal
Go climb up your thumbGo away, get lost
Go over the edge with the ramsTo get far too drunk
Go to read and writeRhyming slang for take flight
GoofyCrazy
GoogBlack eye
GoonThug
GooseMan
Gooseberry layStealing clothes from a clothesline
Gowed-upOn dope, high
Grab (a little) airPut your hands up
Graft
  • ◆Con jobs
  • ◆Cut of the take
Grand$1000
Greasers
  • ◆Mexicans or Italians.
  • ◆A hoodlum, thief or punk.
Grift
  • ◆"What's the grift?" — What are you trying to pull?
  • ◆Confidence game, swindle
GrifterCon man
GrilledQuestioned
GuineaDerogatory term for an Italian
Gum-shoeDetective; also gumshoeing = detective work
Gun forLook for, be after
Guns
  • ◆Pickpockets
  • ◆Hoodlums
GuyA man
H
HackTaxi
Half, A50 cents
Hammer and sawsPolice (rhyming slang for laws)
HardTough
Hash houseA cheap restaurant
HatchetmenKillers, gunmen
Have the beesTo be rich
Have the curse on someoneWanting to see someone killed
Head doctorsPsychiatrists
HeapCar
HeatPolice
HeaterGun
Heebie-JeebiesThe jitters.
HeeledCarrying a gun
High-HatTo snub.
High pillowPerson at the top, in charge
HinkySuspicious
Hitting on all eightIn good shape, going well (refers to eight cylinders in an engine)
Hock shopPawnshop
HogsEngines
HombreMan, fellow
HoochLiquor
HoodCriminal
HooferDancer.
HoosegowJail
HornTelephone
HotStolen
Hotsy-TotsyPleasing.
House dickHouse/hotel detective
House peeperHouse/hotel detective
HypeShortchange artist
I
IceDiamonds
In stirIn jail
Ing-bingA fit, as in "to throw an ing-bing"
IronA car
J
JackMoney
Jake / JakelooOkay. Used like "cool" in modern slang.
JalopyAn old car.
JamTrouble, as in "in a jam"
JaneA woman
JavaCoffee
JawTalk
Jerking a nodNodding
JobbieMan
JoeCoffee, as in "a cup of joe"
JohnsPolice
Johnson brotherCriminal
JointPlace, as in "my joint"
Jorum of skeeShot of liquor
JuiceInterest on a loanshark's loan
JugJail
Jump, TheA hanging
K
KaleMoney
KeenAttractive or appealing.
Keister / keyster
  • ◆Suitcase
  • ◆Safe, strongbox
  • ◆Buttocks
KickI have nothing to complain about, as in "I got no kick"
Kick offDie
KissTo punch
KisserMouth
KittenWoman
Knock offKill
KnockoverHeist, theft
L
Lammed offRan away, escaped
Large$1,000; twenty large would be $20,000
Law, theThe police
Lead"Fill ya full of lead" — the term used for bullets
Lead poisoningTo be shot
LettuceFolding money
LidHat
LineInsincere flattery.
Lip(Criminal) lawyer
LookerPretty woman
Look-outOutside man
Lousy withTo have lots of
Lug
  • ◆Bullet
  • ◆Ear
  • ◆Man ("You big lug!")
LungerSomeone with tuberculosis
M
MacA man
MadeRecognized
MapFace
MarblesPearls
MarkSucker, victim of swindle or fixed game
MaroonPerson marked for a con or a gullible person.
MazumaMoney
MeatHe's the subject of interest, there's your man, as in "He's your meat"
Meat wagonAmbulance
MillTypewriter
MittHand
MobGang (not necessarily Mafia)
MohaskaGun
MollGirlfriend
MonickerName
MouthpieceLawyer
Mug
  • ◆Face
  • ◆Guy
MugsMen (esp. dumb ones)
MushFace
N
NailedCaught by the police
NanceAn effeminate man
Nevada gasCyanide
NewshawkReporter
NewsieNewspaper vendor
Nibble oneTo have a drink
NickedStole
NippersHandcuffs
Nix on (something)No to (something)
NoodleHead
NumberA person, can be either a man or a woman
O
OpDetective (esp. private), from "operative"
Orphan paperBad checks
Out on the roof, To beTo drink a lot, to be drunk
Oyster fruitPearls
P
PackTo carry, esp. a gun
Packing HeatCarrying a gun, armed
PalA man
PalookaMan, probably a little stupid
PanFace
PastePunch
PatsyPerson who is set up; fool, chump
PawHand
PeachingInforming
Pearl diverDish-washer
PeeperDetective
PeepersEyes
PenPenitentiary, jail
PetermanSafecracker who uses nitroglycerin
PieceGun
PigeonStool-pigeon
Pill
  • ◆Bullet
  • ◆Cigarette
PinchAn arrest, capture
PinsLegs (especially a woman's)
PipeSee or notice
Pipe thatGet that, listen to that
PipesThroat
Pitching wooMaking love
Plant
  • ◆(n) Someone on the scene but in hiding
  • ◆(v) Bury
PlugShoot
PlugsPeople
Poke
  • ◆Bankroll, stake
  • ◆Punch (as in "take a poke at")
PoopedKilled
PopKill
PuffingMugging
PugPugilist, boxer
PumpHeart
Pump metalShoot bullets
PunkHood, thug
PushoverA person easily convinced of something.
PussFace
Put downDrink
Put the screws onQuestion, get tough with
R
RagsClothes
RankedObserved, watched, given the once-over
Rap
  • ◆Criminal charge
  • ◆Information, as in "He gave us the rap"
  • ◆Hit
RappersFakes, set-ups
RatInform
RateTo be good, to count for something
Rats and miceDice, i.e. craps
RattlerTrain
Red-lightTo eject from a car or train
RedhotSome sort of criminal
RhinoMoney
RightAdjective indicating quality
Right gee / Right guyA good fellow
RingersFakes
RitzyElegant.
RodGun
RoscoeGun
Rub-outA killing
RubeBumpkin, easy mark
Rumble, theThe news
Run-out, To take theLeave, escape
S
Savvy?Get me? Understand?
Sawbuck$10 bill (a double sawbuck is a $20 bill)
Scatter
  • ◆Saloon or speakeasy.
  • ◆A hideout, a room or lodging
SchnozzleNose
Scram outLeave
ScratchMoney
ScratcherForger
ScrewPrison guard
Send overSend to jail
Shamus(Private) detective
SharperA swindler or sneaky person
ShebaA woman with sex appeal.
SheikA man with sex appeal.
ShellsBullets
ShineMoonshine, bootleg liquor
ShivKnife
ShylockLoanshark
ShysterLawyer
SilkAll okay so far, as in "all silk so far"
SingConfess, admit secrets
SisterWoman
Skate aroundTo be of easy virtue, as in "She skates around plenty"
Skid rogueA bum who can't be trusted
SkipoutLeave a hotel without paying, or a person who does so
SkirtWoman
Slant, Get aTake a look
SleuthDetective
Slug
  • ◆(noun) Bullet
  • ◆(verb) To knock unconscious
Smell from the barrel, Have aHave a drink
SmokedDrunk
Snap a capShout
SnatchKidnap
Sneak
  • ◆Leave, get lost
  • ◆Type of burglary
SneezeTake
SnitchAn informer, or, as a verb, to inform
SnooperDetective
SpeakeasyAn illicit bar selling bootleg liquor.
SpiffyLooking elegant.
SoakTo pawn
SockPunch
SoupNitroglycerine
Soup jobTo crack a safe using nitroglycerine
SpillTalk, inform; spill it = tell me
SpinachMoney
SpittingTalking
SpondulixMoney
SquareHonest; on the square: telling the truth
SqueezeA female companion; girlfriend. Frequently used in underworld circles.
Squirt metalShoot bullets
StiffA corpse
StingCulmination of a con game
Stool-pigeonInformer
StoolieStool-pigeon
Stringin'Feeding someone a story, as in "stringing along"
Stuck OnHaving a crush on.
SuckerSomeone ripe for a grifter's scam
SugarMoney
SwankyRitzy.
SwellWonderful.
Swift, To have plenty ofTo be fast (on the draw)
SwingHang
T
TailShadow, follow
Take a powderLeave
Take it on the heel and toeLeave
Take onEat
Take for a RideTo drive off with someone in order to bump them off.
Take the airLeave
Take the bounceTo get kicked out (here, of a hotel)
Take the fall forAccept punishment for
That's the cropThat's all of it
Three-spotThree-year term in jail
Throw leadShoot bullets
TicketP.I. license
Tiger milkSome sort of liquor
Tighten the screwsPut pressure on somebody
TinBadge
Tip a fewTo have a few drinks
Tip your mittShow your hand, reveal something
TomatoPretty woman
Tooting the wrong ringerAsking the wrong person
TorcherTorch singer
TorpedoesGunmen
TrapMouth
Trigger manMan whose job is to use a gun
Trip for biscuitsMake the trip for no purpose, achieve no results
Trouble boysGangsters
Turn upTo turn in (to the police)
TwistWoman
Two bits$25, or 25 cents.
U
Under glassIn jail
Up-and-downA look, as in "to give something the up-and-down"
UppersTo be broke, as in "I'm down on my uppers"
W
Weak sisterA push-over
Wear ironCarry a gun
WheatsPancakes, as in "a stack of wheats"
WikiupHome
WireNews, "What information do you have about them?", as in "What's the wire on them?"
Wise, To beTo be knowledgeable of; put us wise: tell us
Wise headA smart person
Wooden kimonoA coffin
WopDerogatory term for an Italian
Wrong geeNot a good fellow
Wrong numberNot a good fellow
Y
Ya FollowDo you understand?
YapMouth
Yard$100
YeggSafecracker who can only open cheap and easy safes
Z
ZotzedKilled

Now you're on the trolley, see? Don't be a flat tire at the party.