# Reviving Old Slang **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 22, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872 "2003-05-22T19:43:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Echo9er](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Echo9er](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Echo9er)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/41 "2003-05-23T15:47:02Z")
This is good. My Dad use to have a saying when my brother or I would ask for something: ``` "Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which one gets filled first" ``` I was reading a book the other day and came across a phrase “Crazy as Pants”. The setting is England in the mid-80’s, so maybe someone can tell me about that one. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/42 "2003-05-23T16:19:39Z")
My dad says “crazy as a bedbug.” “What’s the skinny on the new neighbors?” ---
**Author:** ![Ender\_Will](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Ender\_Will](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ender_Will)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/43 "2003-05-23T16:57:23Z")
Sorry about my earlier double post…please don’t hurt me Listening to the radio about an hour ago, the DJ described Sigfried and Roy as “gayer than the day is long” ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/44 "2003-05-23T17:10:52Z")
This thread is the '23 skidoo. And I think that’s snazzy. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/45 "2003-05-23T17:12:02Z")
Oh for the love of Mike… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/46 "2003-05-23T17:19:32Z")
NurseCarmen, that’s one of my favorites! Who the hell is Mike? He’s a real natty dresser! That’s who he is. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/47 "2003-05-23T17:38:49Z")
Spiffing idea this jolly old thread, really top-ho. Balderdash isn’t exactly dead yet, but could do with more use. I enjoy when old slang takes on new meaning (or double-entendre). ie ‘Madonna is really top-ho’ ‘There’s nout as queer as folk’ ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/48 "2003-05-23T18:25:21Z")
I use a lot of these too, but I try to be “old fashioned” on purpose. (As my grandafather always says - “If you can’t beat 'em, confuse the shit out of 'em!”) Some of my other favorites: - “totally tubular” - not OLD old, but still f’ing funny - “oh, for the love of Pete …” - “she’s got sand” (spunk) - “I’ll be back in two shakes of a bug’s butt” - “gadzooks!” OK, so I’m a dork, a nerd - a _dweeb_, even! ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/49 "2003-05-23T21:39:21Z")
I have noticed that “Right on!” is coming back in. A friend of mine says, “My good Lord!” as an expression of shock, which makes him sound like an old schoolmarm. This thread is the cat’s pajamas. I mean it’s really fab-o. In fact, it knocks my socks off, to boot. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2003, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/50 "2003-05-23T22:05:34Z")
When dudes ask me “how are you”, I reply “swell”. The tonation implies all. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/51 "2003-05-26T07:05:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Tomcat \* > \*\*What a _choice!_ thread, man. \*\* And how! ---
**Author:** ![grettle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@grettle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grettle)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/52 "2003-05-26T13:35:31Z")
My mom, the other day, said “ **boy howdy!** ” I’m not quite sure how to use it other than the context she did (meaning, “indeed” at the end of a thought) but I really want to bring it back. ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/53 "2003-05-26T15:05:21Z")
Rock on! ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2003, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/54 "2003-05-26T15:29:43Z")
Does ANYBODY (in the UK) ever use: -ZOUNDS! -GADZOOKS! ? According to what I read, these were popular in the time of Elizabeth the 1st! ---
**Author:** ![Echo9er](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Echo9er](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Echo9er)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/55 "2003-05-29T14:46:58Z")
Heard one yesterday from someone who is learning a new job. She is responsible for making sure “On Call” issues are covered and missed a week. She said, “I’m a green as a Granny Smith.” I thought that was so funny. ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/56 "2003-05-29T15:39:23Z")
I use “hep,” “golly,” “crikey,” and “For the love of Pete!” pretty frequently. (If my wife hears the latter she puts on a wistful air and sighs “Ah – I love Pete.”) Also, sometimes when my back teeth are floating I say that I’ve gotta see a man about a horse. A few days ago I was watching an episode of “Jeeves & Wooster” and Stiffy said “Bertie, I’m so happy I could bite a grape!” I’ve been looking for an excuse to use that ever since, but nothing’s made me happy enough to justify it yet. (Here’s hoping!) I’d like to stick around this thread a little longer, but I’m late so I’ve got to ankle. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![earthpuppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8c91f0/32.png) [@earthpuppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/earthpuppy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/57 "2003-05-29T15:58:58Z")
It’s six of one, half dozen of the other. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/58 "2003-05-29T16:11:47Z")
“I’m late, so I’ve gotta ankle”? I’ve never heard it but I LOVE IT! Where’s it from? 'Splain it to me, Lucy! ---
**Author:** ![Wendy\_Munro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wendy\_Munro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendy_Munro)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/59 "2003-05-29T16:15:28Z")
My first post My grandma used to say “Fine words butter no parsnips”, and my MIL uses “I’m not so green as I’m cabbage looking” ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872/60 "2003-05-29T18:54:59Z")
After galavanting around all day, you have the gumption to lollygag on home? Why I outta… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/reviving-old-slang/176872.md?page=4)