Glossary of early twentieth century slang in the United States explained

This glossary of early twentieth century slang in the United States is an alphabetical collection of colloquial expressions and their idiomatic meaning from the 1900s to the 1930s. This compilation highlights American slang from the 1920s and does not include foreign phrases. The glossary includes dated entries connected to bootlegging, criminal activities, drug usage, filmmaking, firearms, ethnic slurs, prison slang, sexuality, women's physical features, and sports metaphors. Some expressions are deemed inappropriate and offensive in today's context. Like a Dragon

While slang is usually inappropriate for formal settings, this assortment includes well-known expressions from that time, with some still in use today, e.g.,,,, and .^[1]

These items were gathered from published sources documenting 1920s slang, including books, PDFs, and websites. Verified references are provided for every entry in the listing.

Background

Melodrama films captivate the audience by weaving narratives that evoke intense emotions. These films primarily focus on family dynamics, centering around characters who face adversity and exploring themes of duty and love. The melodramatic format portrays characters navigating their challenges with unwavering determination, selfless acts, and bravery. Movie critics and theater owners often use the certain expressions to describe the movies they are reviewing or showing.^[2] ^[3] ^[4]

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Notes and References

Web site: Slang of the 1920's. 2024. center.uoregon.edu. University of Oregon. September 21, 2024. Slang of the 1920's The twenties were the first decade to emphasize youth culture over the older generations, and the flapper sub-culture had a tremendous influence on mainstream America; many new words and phrases were coined by these liberated women. Many of these are still used today!.
Book: Brooks, P. . The Melodramatic Imagination: Balzac, Henry James, Melodrama, and the Mode of Excess . Yale University Press . 1995 . 978-0-300-06553-4 . July 14, 2024 .
Book: Costello. Robert B.. 1991. Random House Webster's College Dictionary. New York. Random House. 845. 978-0-679-40110-0.
Book: Stevenson. Angus. Lindberg. Christine A.. 2010 . New Oxford American Dictionary, Third Edition. New York. Oxford University Press. 1091 . 978-0-19-539288-3.