Barlow Talk Is the Goat's Whiskers!

Started by Star Safyre, April 12, 2011, 04:46:27 PM

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Star Safyre

I happened upon this lovely collection of flapper terminology.  Being a nut for pop culture history as well as etymology freak, I devoured this list. 

The blogger is a book shop worker who came across some near-mint copies of Flapper magazine. (I'd adore getting a peek that those...) 

QuoteThe July 1922 edition of Flapper contained “A Flappers’ Dictionary.” According to the uncredited author, “A Flapper is one with a jitney body and a limousine mind. The Shifter is a new species who flaunts as his banner, “Something for nothing and then very little.”

“The flapper movement is not a craze, but something that will stay,” the author maintained. “Many of the phrases now employed by members of this order will eventually find a way into common usage and be accepted as good English.”

Here's some of my own favorites:

Alarm Clock—Chaperon.
Bank’s Closed—No petting allowed; no kisses.
Boob Tickler—Girl who entertains father’s out-of-town customers.
Canceled Stamp—A wallflower.
Cake Basket—A limousine.
Dingle Dangler—One who insists on telephoning.
Edisoned—Being asked a lot of questions.
Eye Opener—A marriage.
Father Time—Any man over 30 years of age.
Face Stretcher—Old maid who tries to look younger.
Grubber—One who always borrows cigarettes.
Handcuff—Engagement ring.
Mad Money—Carfare home if she has a fight with her escort.
Out on Parole—A person who has been divorced.
Petting Pantry—Movie.
Smith Brothers—Guys who never cough up.
Static—Conversations that mean nothing.
Strike Breaker—A young woman who goes with her friend’s “Steady” while there is a coolness.
Trotzky (sic)—Old lady with a moustache and chin whiskers.
Umbrella—young man any girl can borrow for the evening.
My heaven is to be with him always.
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And I am a writer, writer of fictions
I am the heart that you call home
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Trying to rid you from my bones

Wistful Dream


Oniya

I like 'Smith Brothers' - for those unfamiliar with it, the term comes from a brand of cough drop, started in 1852, and one of the first products with a trademark.
"Language was invented for one reason, boys - to woo women.~*~*~Don't think it's all been done before
And in that endeavor, laziness will not do." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think we're never gonna win this war
Robin Williams-Dead Poets Society ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Don't think your world's gonna fall apart
I do have a cause, though.  It's obscenity.  I'm for it.  - Tom Lehrer~*~All you need is your beautiful heart
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Will

Quote from: Oniya on April 12, 2011, 04:56:43 PM
I like 'Smith Brothers' - for those unfamiliar with it, the term comes from a brand of cough drop, started in 1852, and one of the first products with a trademark.

I'm actually dying to know the origin of a lot of these, heh.  Some are obvious, but others... not so much.
If you can heal the symptoms, but not affect the cause
It's like trying to heal a gunshot wound with gauze

One day, I will find the right words, and they will be simple.
- Jack Kerouac

TheGlyphstone