My World Of Hopes, Dreams, Fantasies

Slang and Swear Words

Prompt: Ernest Hemingway says some words have lost their edge. Lyn asked us about swear and slang words and swear words have been around for thousands of years. Give examples of slang words that are no longer around.

I think swear words started with pirates. They had no finesse and language barrier but I love pirates. At least the Caribbean ones. Slang words. When I was in school, we would say that person has cooties. "Don't touch anything she or he touched!"

Everything was groovy. Cool. Daddy-o. I never called my father Daddy-o. We would say he's tough. That meant cute. We would say if he gets red, I am leaving. Red meant mad. Hang ten for surfing. Peace. We rapped awhile and then I spilt. This means talked and split means left.

We used to say that's retarded. Out to lunch. If someone was acting strange, we would say he's out to lunch. One time a student didn't show up for class. The teacher asked where he was. The one guy says he is out to lunch. Our teacher said: "But it is only 10:30!"

Cats. This refers to guys who were in a jazz band. Chicks. Some guys still call girls chicks. Right on. Acting squirrely. This means strange.

This is what I remember from the 60's and 70's. I hope you have slang word memories as well.

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