Ladon Ceto (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
justamobster) wrote2019-11-11 12:57 pm
justamobster) wrote2019-11-11 12:57 pm
Entry tags:
Slang Glossary
20's/30's General Slang
If your character is a fan of film noir, reads a lot of jazz era books, lived through the 1920s, or in any way has knowledge of American culture during that period, they may pick up on a few of these words. Most have fallen out of use over time, so possibly not. As always, this isn't a complete list. I've also removed a lot of the slang unique to situations/people that don't apply to Ladon's world (Earth celebrities, Prohibition, WWI, etc.).
— Ace: Good, fantastic
— All wet: incorrect, wrong, terrible
— And how!: I strongly agree!
— Ankle: to walk, i.e.. "Let's ankle!"
— Apple sauce: flattery, nonsense, i.e.. "Aw, applesauce!"
— Attaboy!: Well done!; also, Attagirl!
— Baby: sweetheart; also denotes something of high value or respect
— Baby grand: heavily built man
— Baby vamp: an attractive or popular female; student
— Balled up: confused, messed up
— Baloney: nonsense
— Bangtails: Racehorses
— Bank's closed.: no kissing or making out ie. "Sorry, mac, bank's closed."
— Barbering: Talking
— Barrell house: home-grown distillery, usually for beer out in the country
— Be on the nut, to: To be broke
— Bean-shooter: Gun
— Bearcat: a hot-blooded or fiery girl
— Beat it: scram, get lost
— Beat one's gums: idle chatter
— Bee's knee's: terrific; a fad expression. Dozens of "animal anatomy" variations existed: elephant's eyebrows, gnat's whistle, eel's hips, etc.
— Beef: a complaint or to complain
— Beeswax: business; student
— Beezer: Nose
— Bell bottom: a sailor
— Belt: a drink of liquor
— Bent: drunk
— Bent cars: Stolen cars
— Berries: (1) perfect (2) money
— Big cheese: important person
— Big house: Jail
— Big one, the: Death
— Big sleep, the: Death
— Big six: a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful six cylinder engines
— Bimbo: a tough guy
— Bird: 1. A person "That fella's an odd bird" 2. birds= women
— Blind: drunk
— Blip off: To kill
— Blotto: drunk, especially to an extreme
— Blow: (v) Leave, (n) a crazy party
— Blow one down: Kill someone
— Blower: Telephone
— Boiler: Car
— Boob: Dumb guy
— Bootleg: illeagally made products-- those that are either illegal to make and sell or those that are sold in a manner to skirt taxes (i.e. Bootleg guns= illegal, bootleg alcohol= legal, but sold in an illegal manner)
— Boozehound: Drunkard
— Bop: To kill
— Box job: A safecracking
— Brace (somebody): Grab, shake up
— Bracelets: Handcuffs
— Break it up: Stop that, quit the nonsense
— Breeze: To leave, go. Also breeze off — get lost
— Breezer: a convertable car
— Broad: Woman
— Brown: whiskey
— Bucket: Car
— Bug-eyed: Unattractive
— Bulls: Cops
— Bum's rush, the: ejection by force from an establishment
— Bump: Kill
— Bump off: Kill; also, bump-off — a killing
— Bunk: 1. As in "That's the bunk" — that's false, untrue. 2. As in "to bunk" — to sleep
— Bunny, as in "Don't be a bunny": Don't be stupid.
— Burn powder: Fire a gun
— Bus: any old or worn out car (see "buss" in Nieve slang-- play on words that makes this insulting to succubi)
— Bushwa: a euphemism for "bullshit"
— Busthead: homemade liquor
— Buttons: Police
— Butt me: Give me a cigarette.
— Buzz: shake-down
— Buzzer: Policeman's badge
— Cabbage: Money
— Caboose: Jail
— Cake-eater: a lady's man
— Call copper: Inform the police
— Can: Jail
— Can-opener: Safecracker who forces open cheap safes
— Caper: a criminal act or robbery
— Case dough: Nest egg
— Cash: a kiss
— Cash or check?: Do we kiss now or later?
— Cast a kitten/have kittens: to have a fit
— Cat: Guy
— Cat's meow: great, also "cat's pajamas" and "cat's whiskers"
— Chassis: the female body
— Cheaters: eye glasses
— Chew: Eat
— Chewing gum: double-speak, or ambiguous talk
— Chick: Woman
— Chilled off: Killed/murdered/dead
— Chin: A conversation; also chinning = talking
— Chin music: A punch on the jaw
— Chisel: To swindle or cheat
— Chiv, chive: Knife, or other stabbing or cutting weapon
— Chop squad: Guys with machine guns
— Chopper: a submachine gun
— Clammed: Close-mouthed, as in clammed up, shut up
— Clams: money
— Clean sneak: An escape with no clues left behind
— Clip joint: A fixed casino or a club with overpriced alcohol
— Clipped: Shot, not fatally
— Close your head/Shut your yap: Shut up
— Clubhouse: Police station
— Coffee-and-doughnut: Cheap, not good quality.
— Coffin varnish: cheap, poisonout liquor
— Cool: Stand-offish, as a verb— stop ("cool it!") or knock out
— Cooler: Jail cell
— Cop: 1. Detective, even a private one. 2. To win, as in a bet
— Copacetic: excellent, all in order
— Corn: Bourbon (as in corn liquor)
— Crab: Figure out
— Crasher: a person who attends a party uninvited
— Crate: Car
— Croak: To kill
— Crush: infatuation
— Cuddler: one who likes to make out
— Cush: Money (a cushion, something to fall back on)
— Cut down: Killed
— Dame: Woman
— Dangle: Leave, get lost
— Darb: Something remarkable or superior
— Dead soldier: an empty beer bottle
— Deb: a debutant
— Deck: Pack of cigarettes
— Dewdropper: a young man who sleeps all day and doesn't have a job
— Dib: Share (of the proceeds)
— Dick: Detective (usually qualified with "private" if not a policeman)
— Dingus: Thing
— Dip: Pickpocket
— Dip the bill/wet your whistle: have a drink
— Dive: A low-down, cheap sort of place
— Dizzy with a dame, to be: To be deeply iin love with a woman
— Dogs: Feet
— Doll: Woman
— Dolled up: dressed up
— Dollface: affectionate name for a pretty woman
— Don't know from nothing: doesn't have any information
— Don't take any wooden nickels: don't do anything stupid
— Dope: drugs, esp. cocaine or opium.
— Dormy: Dormant, quiet
— Doublecross: to cheat, stab in the back
— Dough: Money
— Drift: Go, leave
— Drill: Shoot
— Drink out of the same bottle: Be friendly, understanding one another
— Droppers: Hired killers
— Drugstore cowboy: a well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women
— Drum: Speakeasy
— Dry gulch: Knock out, hit on head after ambushing
— Dry up: shut up, get lost
— Ducat: Ticket
— Duck soup: Easy, a piece of cake
— Ducky: Wonderful, swell.
— Dumb Dora: an absolute idiot, a dumbbell, especially a woman; flapper
— Dump: roadhouse
— Dust: 1. Nothing. 2. Leave, depart, as in "Let's dust" . 3. A look, as in "Let's give it the dust"
— Dust out: Leave, depart
— Earful: enough
— Edge: intoxication, a buzz. i.e. "I've got an edge."
— Egg: Fellow
— Elbows: Police
— Ethel: an effeminate male
— Face stretcher: an old woman trying to look young
— Fade: Get lost
— Finger, as in put the finger on: Identify
— Fish: a first timer in prison
— Flat: 1. Broke 2. As in "That's flat" — that's for sure
— Flat tire: a bore
— Flattie: Flatfoot, cop
— Flicker: A movie, same as picture or moving picture.
— Flimflamm: Swindle
— Flivver: a broken down car
— Flogger: Overcoat
— Floorflusher: an insatiable dancer
— Flop: 1. Go to bed. 2. As in "The racket's flopped" — fallen through, not worked out
— Flour lover: a girl with too much face powder
— Fly boy: an aviator/pilot
— Fog: To shoot
— For crying out loud!: Gee whiz!
— Fried: drunk
— Futz: a euphemism for "fuck;" i.e. "Don't futz around."
— Gams: legs
— Gashouse, as in "getting gashouse": Rough
— Gasper: Cigarette
— Gat: Gun
— Gate, as in "Give her the gate": The door, as in leave
— Gatecrasher: see "crasher"
— Get Hot! Get Hot!: encouragement for a hot dancer doing his or her thing
— Get-up: an outfit
— Get a wiggle on: get a move on, get going
— Get in a lather: get worked up, angry
— Giggle juice/giggle water: Liquor
— Gigolo: dancing partner
— Gimp: cripple; one who walks with a limp
— Gin mill: Bar or brewery
— Give a third: Interrogate (third degree)
— Glad rags: Fancy clothes
— Glomming: Stealing
— Go chase yourself: get lost, scram
— Gold-digger: a woman who pursues men for their money
— Goods, the: (1) the right material, or a person who has it (2) the facts, the truth
— Goofy: Crazy, lovesick
— Goof: (1) a stupid or bumbling person, (2) a boyfriend (a flapper's goof)
— Goon: Thug
— Goose: same as "bird"
— Grab some air: Put your hands up
— Graft, the: 1. Con jobs 2. Cut of the take
— Grift, as in "What's the grift?": What are you trying to pull?
— Grifter: Con man
— Grilled: Questioned
— Grummy: depressed
— Grungy: envious
— Gum: mess up, interfere
— Gumshoe: Detective, also gumshoeing = detective work
— Gun for: Look for, be after
— Guns: Hoodlums
— Hack: Taxi
— Hair of the dog: a shot of alcohol
— Half seas over: drunk; also "half under"
— Handcuff: engagement ring
— Hard/hardboiled: Tough
— Hash house: A cheap restaurant
— Hatchetmen: Killers, gunmen
— Hayburner: (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on
— Heap: Car
— Heat: A gun, also heater
— Heavy sugar: a lot of money
— High hat: a snob
— High pillow: Person at the top, in charge
— Hip to the jive: cool, trendy
— Hit on all fours: to perform 100 per cent; as "hitting on all four cylinders"
— Hittin' the pipe: Smoking opium
— Hitting on all six: As in cylinders, in good shape, going well
— Hoary-eyed: drunk
— Hogs: Engines
— Hooch: Liquor
— Hood: Criminal
— Hooey: bullshit, nonsense
— Hoosegow: Jail
— Hop: drugs
— Hope chest: pack of cigarettes
— Hopped up: under the influence of drugs
— Horn: Telephone
— Hot: Stolen
— Hot dawg!: Great!; also: "Hot socks!"
— Hot sketch: a card or cut-up
— Ice: Diamonds
— Icy mitt: rejection
— In stir: In jail
— Insured: engaged
— Iron: A gun
— Iron one’s shoelaces: to go to the restroom
— Jack: Money
— Jake: Okay
— Jalopy: a dumpy old car
— Jam: Trouble, as in "in a jam"
— Jane: any female
— Jaw: Talk
— Java: coffee
— Jingle-brained: Addled
— Jitney: a trolley or city bus
— Joe: coffee, also a normal person (regular old Joe)
— John: a toilet
— Joint: Place, as in "my joint"
— Jorum of skee: Shot of liquor
— Juice joint: a bar
— Jump, the: An advantage "I got the jump on the fella who tried to bump me off"
— Junk: opium
— Kale: Money
— Keen: Appealing, to be "keen on" something is to find it appealing
— Kick, as in "I got no kick": I have nothing to complain about
— Kick off: Die
— Killjoy: Someone or something that isn't any fun
— Kisser: Mouth
— Knock off: Kill
— Knockover: Heist, theft
— Know your onions: To be smart
— Lammed off: Ran away, escaped
— Law, the: The police
— Lay: General information, short for "lay of the land."
— Lay off: cut it out, leave me alone, etc.
— Left holding the bag: (1) to be cheated out of one's fair share (2) to be blamed for something
— Lettuce: Folding money
— Level with me: be honest
— Line: a false story, as in "to feed one a line"
— Lit, to be: To be drunk
— Live wire: a lively person
— Lollapalooza: a humdinger
— Lollygagger: (1) a young man who enjoys making out (2) an idle person
— Lousy with: To have lots of
— Lug: 1. Dumb Guy. 2. Bullet 3. Ear.
— Made: Recognized
— Manacle: wedding ring
— Map: Face
— Marbles: Pearls
— Meat, as in "He's your meat": There's your man, in this case, there's the guy you'll follow
— Meat wagon: Ambulance
— Mill: Typewriter
— Mind your potatoes: mind your own business
— Mitt: Hand
— Mob: Gang
— Moll: Mobster's girlfriend
— Monicker: Name
— Mooch: to leave
— Mook: An idiot
— Moonshine: homemade whiskey
— Mop: a handkerchief
— Mouthpiece: Lawyer
— Mud-pipe: Opium pipe
— Mug: Face
— Mugs: Guys
— Munitions: face powder
— Nailed: Caught by the police
— Nance: An effeminate man
— Neck: to kiss passionately
— Neckers: a couple making out
— Newshawk: Reporter
— Newsie: Newspaper vendor
— Nibble one: To have a drink
— Nicked: Stole
— Nifty: great, excellent
— Nippers: Handcuffs
— Nix on (something): No to (something)
— Noodle: Head
— Noodle juice: tea
— Nookie: sex
— Nose-candy: Any drug that can be snorted
— Not so good!: "I personally disapprove."
— Now you're on the trolley!: "Now you've got it!".
— Number: To work someone over, as in "you really did a number on that guy."
— Off one's nuts: crazy
— Off the track: Crazy, violent
— Oh yeah!: "I doubt it!"
— Old boy: a male term of address, used in conversation with other males as a way to denote acceptance in a social environment; also: "old man" or "old fruit"
— On a toot: a drinking binge
— On the lam: fleeing from police
— On the level: legitimate, honest
— On the trolley/hip to the jive: You get it
— On the up and up: on the level
— Orchid: an expensive item
— Orphan paper: Bad cheques
— Ossified: drunk
— Out on the roof, to be: To drink a lot
— Owl: a person who's out late
— Oyster fruit: Pearls
— Pack: To carry, esp. a gun
— Palooka: Boxer
— Pan: Face
— Panic: to produce a big reaction from one's audience
— Paste: Punch
— Paw: Hand
— Peaching: Informing
— Peeper: Detective
— Pen: Jail, penitentiary
— Percolate: to run smoothly
— Pet: like necking (see above), only moreso; making out
— Petting pantry: movie theater
— Petting party: one or more couples making out in a room or auto
— Phonus balonus: nonsense
— Pigeon: see Stool-pigeon
— Piffle: baloney
— Piker: (1) a cheapskate (2) a coward
— Pill: 1. Bullet. 2. Cigarette 3. Unpleasant person
— Pinch: An arrest, capture
— Pipe down: shut up
— Pipe that: Get that, listen to that
— Pipes: Throat
— Pitching woo: Making love
— Plant: Someone on the scene but in hiding
— Pop: Kill
— Pos-i-lute-ly: affirmative, also "pos-i-tive-ly"
— Pug: Boxer
— Pump: Heart
— Pump metal: Shoot bullets
— Punch the bag: small talk
— Punk: Hood, thug
— Puss: Face
— Put the screws on: Question, get tough with
— Rag-a-muffin: a dirty or disheveled individual
— Rags: Clothes
— Rain pitchforks: a downpour
— Ranked: Observed, watched, given the once-over.
— Rap: 1. Criminal charge. 2. Information, as in "He gave us the rap". 3. Hit
— Rat: Inform
— Rate: To be good, to count for something
— Rats and mice: Dice, i.e. craps
— Rattler: Train
— Razz: to make fun of
— Redhot: Some sort of criminal
— Rhino: Money
— Right guy: A good fellow
— Ringers/Dead-ringers: Convincing fakes
— Rod: Gun
— Rotgut: bootleg liquor
— Rub-out: A death
— Rube: Bumpkin, easy mark
— Rumble, the: The news
— Rummy: drunkard
— Sap: 1. A dumb guy. 2. A blackjack
— Says you: a reaction of disbelief
— Scram out: Leave
— Scratch: Money
— Scratcher: Forger
— Screaming meemies: the shakes
— Screw: get lost, get out
— Screwy: crazy; "You're screwy!"
— Sharper: A swindler or sneaky person
— Shells: Bullets
— Shine: Bootleg whiskey, affection "I'm taking a shine to that dame"
— Shiv: Knife
— Silk: easy
— Sinker: a doughnut
— Sister: Woman
— Sitting pretty: in a prime position
— Skate around: Sleep around
— Skipout: Leave a hotel without paying, or a person who does so
— Skirt: Woman
— Slant, get a: Take a look
— Sleuth: Detective
— Slug: 1. As a noun, bullet 2. As a verb, to knock unconscious.
— Smarty: a cute, smart woman
— Smoked: Drunk
— Smoke-eater: a smoker
— Smudger: a close dancer
— Snap a cap: Shout
— Snatch: Kidnap
— Snooper: Detective
— Snort (as in of gin): A drink
— Sock: Punch
— Sockdollager: an action having a great impact
— So's your old man: a reply of irritation
— Spill: Talk, inform. spill it = tell me
— Spinach: Money
— Spitting: Talking
— Splifficated: drunk
— Static: (1) empty talk (2) conflicting opinion
— Step off: Back down
— Stiff: A corpse
— Stilts: legs
— Stool-pigeon or Stoolie: Informer
— Stringin': As in along, feeding someone a story
— Stuck on: in love
— Sucker: Someone ripe for a grifter's scam
— Sugar: Money
— Sugar daddy: older boyfriend who showers girlfriend with gifts in exchange for sex
— Swanky: elegant
— Swell: great
— Tail: Shadow, follow
— Take a powder: Leave
— Take it on the heel and toe: Leave
— Take someone for a ride: to take someone to a deserted location and murder them
— Take the air: Leave
— Take the bounce: To get kicked out
— Take the fall for: Accept punishment for
— Talkies: Movies with sound, as opposed to silent film
— Tasty: appealing
— Tell it to your ma: tell it to someone who'll believe it
— That's the crop: That's all of it
— Three-letter man: homosexual
— Throw lead: Shoot bullets
— Tiger milk: Liquor
— Tighten the screws: Put pressure on somebody
— Tip a few: To have a few drinks
— Tip your mitt: Show your hand, reveal something
— Tooting the wrong ringer: Asking the wrong person
— Torcher: Torch singer
— Torpedoes: Gunmen
— Trap: Mouth
— Trigger man: Guy who does the shooting on a job
— Trip for biscuits: A pointless or fruitless activity
— Trouble boys: Gangsters
— Twist: Woman
— Unreal: special
— Up-and-down, as in "to give something the up-and-down": A look
— Upchuck: to vomit
— Upstage: snobby
— Vamp: A seductive woman
— Wear iron: Carry a gun
— Wet blanket: same as killjoy
— What's eating you?: What's the matter?
— Wheats, as in "a stack of wheats": Pancakes
— Whoopee: Sex
— Wire: Latest information
— Wrong number: Not a good fellow
— Yap: Mouth
— Yegg: Safecracker/robber/thug
— You slay me: You're funny
— Zotzed: Killed
— Zozzled: drunk
Sources:
Gangster Slang
Jazz Age Slang
Nieve Slang
Characters not from Ladon's world are less likely to understand these terms. They're unique either to Nieve, Ladon's world at large, or to the magical community itself. This list is in no way exhaustive and is a work in progress. I'll be adding to it as new phrases come up either in my writing or in my RP.
If your character is a fan of film noir, reads a lot of jazz era books, lived through the 1920s, or in any way has knowledge of American culture during that period, they may pick up on a few of these words. Most have fallen out of use over time, so possibly not. As always, this isn't a complete list. I've also removed a lot of the slang unique to situations/people that don't apply to Ladon's world (Earth celebrities, Prohibition, WWI, etc.).
— Ace: Good, fantastic
— All wet: incorrect, wrong, terrible
— And how!: I strongly agree!
— Ankle: to walk, i.e.. "Let's ankle!"
— Apple sauce: flattery, nonsense, i.e.. "Aw, applesauce!"
— Attaboy!: Well done!; also, Attagirl!
— Baby: sweetheart; also denotes something of high value or respect
— Baby grand: heavily built man
— Baby vamp: an attractive or popular female; student
— Balled up: confused, messed up
— Baloney: nonsense
— Bangtails: Racehorses
— Bank's closed.: no kissing or making out ie. "Sorry, mac, bank's closed."
— Barbering: Talking
— Barrell house: home-grown distillery, usually for beer out in the country
— Be on the nut, to: To be broke
— Bean-shooter: Gun
— Bearcat: a hot-blooded or fiery girl
— Beat it: scram, get lost
— Beat one's gums: idle chatter
— Bee's knee's: terrific; a fad expression. Dozens of "animal anatomy" variations existed: elephant's eyebrows, gnat's whistle, eel's hips, etc.
— Beef: a complaint or to complain
— Beeswax: business; student
— Beezer: Nose
— Bell bottom: a sailor
— Belt: a drink of liquor
— Bent: drunk
— Bent cars: Stolen cars
— Berries: (1) perfect (2) money
— Big cheese: important person
— Big house: Jail
— Big one, the: Death
— Big sleep, the: Death
— Big six: a strong man; from auto advertising, for the new and powerful six cylinder engines
— Bimbo: a tough guy
— Bird: 1. A person "That fella's an odd bird" 2. birds= women
— Blind: drunk
— Blip off: To kill
— Blotto: drunk, especially to an extreme
— Blow: (v) Leave, (n) a crazy party
— Blow one down: Kill someone
— Blower: Telephone
— Boiler: Car
— Boob: Dumb guy
— Bootleg: illeagally made products-- those that are either illegal to make and sell or those that are sold in a manner to skirt taxes (i.e. Bootleg guns= illegal, bootleg alcohol= legal, but sold in an illegal manner)
— Boozehound: Drunkard
— Bop: To kill
— Box job: A safecracking
— Brace (somebody): Grab, shake up
— Bracelets: Handcuffs
— Break it up: Stop that, quit the nonsense
— Breeze: To leave, go. Also breeze off — get lost
— Breezer: a convertable car
— Broad: Woman
— Brown: whiskey
— Bucket: Car
— Bug-eyed: Unattractive
— Bulls: Cops
— Bum's rush, the: ejection by force from an establishment
— Bump: Kill
— Bump off: Kill; also, bump-off — a killing
— Bunk: 1. As in "That's the bunk" — that's false, untrue. 2. As in "to bunk" — to sleep
— Bunny, as in "Don't be a bunny": Don't be stupid.
— Burn powder: Fire a gun
— Bus: any old or worn out car (see "buss" in Nieve slang-- play on words that makes this insulting to succubi)
— Bushwa: a euphemism for "bullshit"
— Busthead: homemade liquor
— Buttons: Police
— Butt me: Give me a cigarette.
— Buzz: shake-down
— Buzzer: Policeman's badge
— Cabbage: Money
— Caboose: Jail
— Cake-eater: a lady's man
— Call copper: Inform the police
— Can: Jail
— Can-opener: Safecracker who forces open cheap safes
— Caper: a criminal act or robbery
— Case dough: Nest egg
— Cash: a kiss
— Cash or check?: Do we kiss now or later?
— Cast a kitten/have kittens: to have a fit
— Cat: Guy
— Cat's meow: great, also "cat's pajamas" and "cat's whiskers"
— Chassis: the female body
— Cheaters: eye glasses
— Chew: Eat
— Chewing gum: double-speak, or ambiguous talk
— Chick: Woman
— Chilled off: Killed/murdered/dead
— Chin: A conversation; also chinning = talking
— Chin music: A punch on the jaw
— Chisel: To swindle or cheat
— Chiv, chive: Knife, or other stabbing or cutting weapon
— Chop squad: Guys with machine guns
— Chopper: a submachine gun
— Clammed: Close-mouthed, as in clammed up, shut up
— Clams: money
— Clean sneak: An escape with no clues left behind
— Clip joint: A fixed casino or a club with overpriced alcohol
— Clipped: Shot, not fatally
— Close your head/Shut your yap: Shut up
— Clubhouse: Police station
— Coffee-and-doughnut: Cheap, not good quality.
— Coffin varnish: cheap, poisonout liquor
— Cool: Stand-offish, as a verb— stop ("cool it!") or knock out
— Cooler: Jail cell
— Cop: 1. Detective, even a private one. 2. To win, as in a bet
— Copacetic: excellent, all in order
— Corn: Bourbon (as in corn liquor)
— Crab: Figure out
— Crasher: a person who attends a party uninvited
— Crate: Car
— Croak: To kill
— Crush: infatuation
— Cuddler: one who likes to make out
— Cush: Money (a cushion, something to fall back on)
— Cut down: Killed
— Dame: Woman
— Dangle: Leave, get lost
— Darb: Something remarkable or superior
— Dead soldier: an empty beer bottle
— Deb: a debutant
— Deck: Pack of cigarettes
— Dewdropper: a young man who sleeps all day and doesn't have a job
— Dib: Share (of the proceeds)
— Dick: Detective (usually qualified with "private" if not a policeman)
— Dingus: Thing
— Dip: Pickpocket
— Dip the bill/wet your whistle: have a drink
— Dive: A low-down, cheap sort of place
— Dizzy with a dame, to be: To be deeply iin love with a woman
— Dogs: Feet
— Doll: Woman
— Dolled up: dressed up
— Dollface: affectionate name for a pretty woman
— Don't know from nothing: doesn't have any information
— Don't take any wooden nickels: don't do anything stupid
— Dope: drugs, esp. cocaine or opium.
— Dormy: Dormant, quiet
— Doublecross: to cheat, stab in the back
— Dough: Money
— Drift: Go, leave
— Drill: Shoot
— Drink out of the same bottle: Be friendly, understanding one another
— Droppers: Hired killers
— Drugstore cowboy: a well-dressed man who loiters in public areas trying to pick up women
— Drum: Speakeasy
— Dry gulch: Knock out, hit on head after ambushing
— Dry up: shut up, get lost
— Ducat: Ticket
— Duck soup: Easy, a piece of cake
— Ducky: Wonderful, swell.
— Dumb Dora: an absolute idiot, a dumbbell, especially a woman; flapper
— Dump: roadhouse
— Dust: 1. Nothing. 2. Leave, depart, as in "Let's dust" . 3. A look, as in "Let's give it the dust"
— Dust out: Leave, depart
— Earful: enough
— Edge: intoxication, a buzz. i.e. "I've got an edge."
— Egg: Fellow
— Elbows: Police
— Ethel: an effeminate male
— Face stretcher: an old woman trying to look young
— Fade: Get lost
— Finger, as in put the finger on: Identify
— Fish: a first timer in prison
— Flat: 1. Broke 2. As in "That's flat" — that's for sure
— Flat tire: a bore
— Flattie: Flatfoot, cop
— Flicker: A movie, same as picture or moving picture.
— Flimflamm: Swindle
— Flivver: a broken down car
— Flogger: Overcoat
— Floorflusher: an insatiable dancer
— Flop: 1. Go to bed. 2. As in "The racket's flopped" — fallen through, not worked out
— Flour lover: a girl with too much face powder
— Fly boy: an aviator/pilot
— Fog: To shoot
— For crying out loud!: Gee whiz!
— Fried: drunk
— Futz: a euphemism for "fuck;" i.e. "Don't futz around."
— Gams: legs
— Gashouse, as in "getting gashouse": Rough
— Gasper: Cigarette
— Gat: Gun
— Gate, as in "Give her the gate": The door, as in leave
— Gatecrasher: see "crasher"
— Get Hot! Get Hot!: encouragement for a hot dancer doing his or her thing
— Get-up: an outfit
— Get a wiggle on: get a move on, get going
— Get in a lather: get worked up, angry
— Giggle juice/giggle water: Liquor
— Gigolo: dancing partner
— Gimp: cripple; one who walks with a limp
— Gin mill: Bar or brewery
— Give a third: Interrogate (third degree)
— Glad rags: Fancy clothes
— Glomming: Stealing
— Go chase yourself: get lost, scram
— Gold-digger: a woman who pursues men for their money
— Goods, the: (1) the right material, or a person who has it (2) the facts, the truth
— Goofy: Crazy, lovesick
— Goof: (1) a stupid or bumbling person, (2) a boyfriend (a flapper's goof)
— Goon: Thug
— Goose: same as "bird"
— Grab some air: Put your hands up
— Graft, the: 1. Con jobs 2. Cut of the take
— Grift, as in "What's the grift?": What are you trying to pull?
— Grifter: Con man
— Grilled: Questioned
— Grummy: depressed
— Grungy: envious
— Gum: mess up, interfere
— Gumshoe: Detective, also gumshoeing = detective work
— Gun for: Look for, be after
— Guns: Hoodlums
— Hack: Taxi
— Hair of the dog: a shot of alcohol
— Half seas over: drunk; also "half under"
— Handcuff: engagement ring
— Hard/hardboiled: Tough
— Hash house: A cheap restaurant
— Hatchetmen: Killers, gunmen
— Hayburner: (1) a gas guzzling car (2) a horse one loses money on
— Heap: Car
— Heat: A gun, also heater
— Heavy sugar: a lot of money
— High hat: a snob
— High pillow: Person at the top, in charge
— Hip to the jive: cool, trendy
— Hit on all fours: to perform 100 per cent; as "hitting on all four cylinders"
— Hittin' the pipe: Smoking opium
— Hitting on all six: As in cylinders, in good shape, going well
— Hoary-eyed: drunk
— Hogs: Engines
— Hooch: Liquor
— Hood: Criminal
— Hooey: bullshit, nonsense
— Hoosegow: Jail
— Hop: drugs
— Hope chest: pack of cigarettes
— Hopped up: under the influence of drugs
— Horn: Telephone
— Hot: Stolen
— Hot dawg!: Great!; also: "Hot socks!"
— Hot sketch: a card or cut-up
— Ice: Diamonds
— Icy mitt: rejection
— In stir: In jail
— Insured: engaged
— Iron: A gun
— Iron one’s shoelaces: to go to the restroom
— Jack: Money
— Jake: Okay
— Jalopy: a dumpy old car
— Jam: Trouble, as in "in a jam"
— Jane: any female
— Jaw: Talk
— Java: coffee
— Jingle-brained: Addled
— Jitney: a trolley or city bus
— Joe: coffee, also a normal person (regular old Joe)
— John: a toilet
— Joint: Place, as in "my joint"
— Jorum of skee: Shot of liquor
— Juice joint: a bar
— Jump, the: An advantage "I got the jump on the fella who tried to bump me off"
— Junk: opium
— Kale: Money
— Keen: Appealing, to be "keen on" something is to find it appealing
— Kick, as in "I got no kick": I have nothing to complain about
— Kick off: Die
— Killjoy: Someone or something that isn't any fun
— Kisser: Mouth
— Knock off: Kill
— Knockover: Heist, theft
— Know your onions: To be smart
— Lammed off: Ran away, escaped
— Law, the: The police
— Lay: General information, short for "lay of the land."
— Lay off: cut it out, leave me alone, etc.
— Left holding the bag: (1) to be cheated out of one's fair share (2) to be blamed for something
— Lettuce: Folding money
— Level with me: be honest
— Line: a false story, as in "to feed one a line"
— Lit, to be: To be drunk
— Live wire: a lively person
— Lollapalooza: a humdinger
— Lollygagger: (1) a young man who enjoys making out (2) an idle person
— Lousy with: To have lots of
— Lug: 1. Dumb Guy. 2. Bullet 3. Ear.
— Made: Recognized
— Manacle: wedding ring
— Map: Face
— Marbles: Pearls
— Meat, as in "He's your meat": There's your man, in this case, there's the guy you'll follow
— Meat wagon: Ambulance
— Mill: Typewriter
— Mind your potatoes: mind your own business
— Mitt: Hand
— Mob: Gang
— Moll: Mobster's girlfriend
— Monicker: Name
— Mooch: to leave
— Mook: An idiot
— Moonshine: homemade whiskey
— Mop: a handkerchief
— Mouthpiece: Lawyer
— Mud-pipe: Opium pipe
— Mug: Face
— Mugs: Guys
— Munitions: face powder
— Nailed: Caught by the police
— Nance: An effeminate man
— Neck: to kiss passionately
— Neckers: a couple making out
— Newshawk: Reporter
— Newsie: Newspaper vendor
— Nibble one: To have a drink
— Nicked: Stole
— Nifty: great, excellent
— Nippers: Handcuffs
— Nix on (something): No to (something)
— Noodle: Head
— Noodle juice: tea
— Nookie: sex
— Nose-candy: Any drug that can be snorted
— Not so good!: "I personally disapprove."
— Now you're on the trolley!: "Now you've got it!".
— Number: To work someone over, as in "you really did a number on that guy."
— Off one's nuts: crazy
— Off the track: Crazy, violent
— Oh yeah!: "I doubt it!"
— Old boy: a male term of address, used in conversation with other males as a way to denote acceptance in a social environment; also: "old man" or "old fruit"
— On a toot: a drinking binge
— On the lam: fleeing from police
— On the level: legitimate, honest
— On the trolley/hip to the jive: You get it
— On the up and up: on the level
— Orchid: an expensive item
— Orphan paper: Bad cheques
— Ossified: drunk
— Out on the roof, to be: To drink a lot
— Owl: a person who's out late
— Oyster fruit: Pearls
— Pack: To carry, esp. a gun
— Palooka: Boxer
— Pan: Face
— Panic: to produce a big reaction from one's audience
— Paste: Punch
— Paw: Hand
— Peaching: Informing
— Peeper: Detective
— Pen: Jail, penitentiary
— Percolate: to run smoothly
— Pet: like necking (see above), only moreso; making out
— Petting pantry: movie theater
— Petting party: one or more couples making out in a room or auto
— Phonus balonus: nonsense
— Pigeon: see Stool-pigeon
— Piffle: baloney
— Piker: (1) a cheapskate (2) a coward
— Pill: 1. Bullet. 2. Cigarette 3. Unpleasant person
— Pinch: An arrest, capture
— Pipe down: shut up
— Pipe that: Get that, listen to that
— Pipes: Throat
— Pitching woo: Making love
— Plant: Someone on the scene but in hiding
— Pop: Kill
— Pos-i-lute-ly: affirmative, also "pos-i-tive-ly"
— Pug: Boxer
— Pump: Heart
— Pump metal: Shoot bullets
— Punch the bag: small talk
— Punk: Hood, thug
— Puss: Face
— Put the screws on: Question, get tough with
— Rag-a-muffin: a dirty or disheveled individual
— Rags: Clothes
— Rain pitchforks: a downpour
— Ranked: Observed, watched, given the once-over.
— Rap: 1. Criminal charge. 2. Information, as in "He gave us the rap". 3. Hit
— Rat: Inform
— Rate: To be good, to count for something
— Rats and mice: Dice, i.e. craps
— Rattler: Train
— Razz: to make fun of
— Redhot: Some sort of criminal
— Rhino: Money
— Right guy: A good fellow
— Ringers/Dead-ringers: Convincing fakes
— Rod: Gun
— Rotgut: bootleg liquor
— Rub-out: A death
— Rube: Bumpkin, easy mark
— Rumble, the: The news
— Rummy: drunkard
— Sap: 1. A dumb guy. 2. A blackjack
— Says you: a reaction of disbelief
— Scram out: Leave
— Scratch: Money
— Scratcher: Forger
— Screaming meemies: the shakes
— Screw: get lost, get out
— Screwy: crazy; "You're screwy!"
— Sharper: A swindler or sneaky person
— Shells: Bullets
— Shine: Bootleg whiskey, affection "I'm taking a shine to that dame"
— Shiv: Knife
— Silk: easy
— Sinker: a doughnut
— Sister: Woman
— Sitting pretty: in a prime position
— Skate around: Sleep around
— Skipout: Leave a hotel without paying, or a person who does so
— Skirt: Woman
— Slant, get a: Take a look
— Sleuth: Detective
— Slug: 1. As a noun, bullet 2. As a verb, to knock unconscious.
— Smarty: a cute, smart woman
— Smoked: Drunk
— Smoke-eater: a smoker
— Smudger: a close dancer
— Snap a cap: Shout
— Snatch: Kidnap
— Snooper: Detective
— Snort (as in of gin): A drink
— Sock: Punch
— Sockdollager: an action having a great impact
— So's your old man: a reply of irritation
— Spill: Talk, inform. spill it = tell me
— Spinach: Money
— Spitting: Talking
— Splifficated: drunk
— Static: (1) empty talk (2) conflicting opinion
— Step off: Back down
— Stiff: A corpse
— Stilts: legs
— Stool-pigeon or Stoolie: Informer
— Stringin': As in along, feeding someone a story
— Stuck on: in love
— Sucker: Someone ripe for a grifter's scam
— Sugar: Money
— Sugar daddy: older boyfriend who showers girlfriend with gifts in exchange for sex
— Swanky: elegant
— Swell: great
— Tail: Shadow, follow
— Take a powder: Leave
— Take it on the heel and toe: Leave
— Take someone for a ride: to take someone to a deserted location and murder them
— Take the air: Leave
— Take the bounce: To get kicked out
— Take the fall for: Accept punishment for
— Talkies: Movies with sound, as opposed to silent film
— Tasty: appealing
— Tell it to your ma: tell it to someone who'll believe it
— That's the crop: That's all of it
— Three-letter man: homosexual
— Throw lead: Shoot bullets
— Tiger milk: Liquor
— Tighten the screws: Put pressure on somebody
— Tip a few: To have a few drinks
— Tip your mitt: Show your hand, reveal something
— Tooting the wrong ringer: Asking the wrong person
— Torcher: Torch singer
— Torpedoes: Gunmen
— Trap: Mouth
— Trigger man: Guy who does the shooting on a job
— Trip for biscuits: A pointless or fruitless activity
— Trouble boys: Gangsters
— Twist: Woman
— Unreal: special
— Up-and-down, as in "to give something the up-and-down": A look
— Upchuck: to vomit
— Upstage: snobby
— Vamp: A seductive woman
— Wear iron: Carry a gun
— Wet blanket: same as killjoy
— What's eating you?: What's the matter?
— Wheats, as in "a stack of wheats": Pancakes
— Whoopee: Sex
— Wire: Latest information
— Wrong number: Not a good fellow
— Yap: Mouth
— Yegg: Safecracker/robber/thug
— You slay me: You're funny
— Zotzed: Killed
— Zozzled: drunk
Sources:
Gangster Slang
Jazz Age Slang
Nieve Slang
Characters not from Ladon's world are less likely to understand these terms. They're unique either to Nieve, Ladon's world at large, or to the magical community itself. This list is in no way exhaustive and is a work in progress. I'll be adding to it as new phrases come up either in my writing or in my RP.
— Alley music: a gunfight
— Angle: cheat, pull a fast one. "You ain't tryin' to angle me here, are you?"
— Baby buss: A human or non-succubi female who is sexually attractive, like a succubus.
— Busses and inkies: Succubi and incubi
— Canned: Can mean fired, but also means someone who is killed and their body can't be found. There's an urban legend in Nieve about mobsters putting dead bodies through the machines at the canneries to get rid of them.
— Cup of brew: cup of coffee
— Fir: Someone from Firani
— Fish powder: a drug similar to cocaine, called so based on how many drug deals happen on the fishing piers.
— Fished off the docks: freshly immigrated (usually from Garevia)
— Fizz: Soda, but also a term for someone who is bubbly or cheerful. "She's a real fizz."
— G: Someone from Garevia
— In a stir: Excited or frightened. "Don't get in a stir over it, pal!"
— Jammed: Angry, frustrated, hopeless
— Lise: Nieve's currency. Symbol: ℒ
— Ellemeno: A wad of lise, pun on the alphabet/symbol
— Lizard/city snake: dragon, specifically Ladon and his friends.
— Maple: Dryad, specifically female
— Necker: a vampire's pet human
— Normie: human unable to use magic
— Pine overcoat: A coffin
— Skaloot: an out-of-towner in Nieve. Used for anyone who "doesn't belong" in the city-- immigrants, people from the farms and small towns visiting the city, etc. Derogatory.
— Slick Turkeys/Slicks: Cigarettes. "Gimme a deck of Slicks, willya?"
— Soaked: ruined. "Shit's soaked"= "the jig is up"
— Sucker joint: a business in vampire territory
— Sweggly: Naive, new to criminal business, particularly in terms of violence
— Towner/townie: opposite of skaloot.