Grease The Musical - 1950s American High School Slang

1950s American High School Slang

ALAN FREED
Famous 50s DJ who coined the term "Rock 'n ' Roll "

ANGORA
Fluffy yarn, wrapped so that a boy 's ring could be worn by a girl.

ANNETTE, SANDRA DEE, DEBBIE REYNOLDS, SAL MINEO, TROY DONAHUE, PAT BOONE
Popular teen idols and stars of the 50s.

BITE THE WEENIE
A put-down, used only by males.

BOMBSHELL
A gorgeous female.

BUCKY BEAVER
TV cartoon character featured in toothpaste commercials.

CATS & CHICKS
Guys and girls.

C.Y.O.
Catholic Youth Organisation.

CHROMERS
Overhead Lifters etc Hot-Rod jargon. Custom car talk.

D.A., CREWCUT, FLAT-TOP
Various popular male hairstyles of the 50s.

FLIP, BEEHIVE, FRENCH TWIST
Various popular female hairstyles of the 50s.

FOAM DOMES
Falsies.

FRUIT BOOTS
White buck shoes. Trademark of singer Pat Boone.

GIDGET
Wholesome, petite, "girl-next-door ".Beach movie character created by Sandra Dee.

HICKEY
A red mark. Also called a "love bit ".

HOWDY DOODY, THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB
50s TV shows.

I.D.
Identification, showing age.

J.D.
Juvenile Delinquent.

JOCKS
Athletes.

KOOKIE
Dennis James, Shelley Faberes 50s TV personalities.

LETTERMEN
Athletes who excel in a sport and "earn " a sweater with the "letter " of that particular sport.

NEAT
Cool.

NERD
A Square. Someone who is not cool.

NIFTY
Terrific.

PAJAMA PARTY
Girls ' sleepover party.

PEDAL PUSHERS
Girls trousers 'tight', cut off at the knee.

PROM NIGHT
Formal school dance.

RATTED HAIR
Girls ' hair, teased to give height.

SCAB, SKANK
Ugly y girl .

SOCK HOP
A dance in a gymnasium with no shoes allowed, so the floor would not get scuffed.

SUBMARINE RACES
Lovers ' Lane.

TWINKIES
Imitation spongy cake, with gooey cream inside.

WEEDS, HIT PARADES, VOGUES
Cigarettes.