It’s been almost 50 years since the start of the grooviest decade, but many of the slang terms that came into fashion in the ‘70s are still used today. Frequent viewers of “Starsky and Hutch” and “The Brady Bunch,” will have no problem acing this quiz!
It’s been almost 50 years since the start of the grooviest decade, but many of the slang terms that came into fashion in the ‘70s are still used today. Frequent viewers of “Starsky and Hutch” and “The Brady Bunch,” will have no problem acing this quiz!
This term came about as a mispronunciation of the term police force. Used in a sentence, “The fuzz broke up our party last night because our neighbors complained about the noise.”
The term “square” referring to anyone that is uncool or doesn’t fit in has been used for many decades, but this catch rhyme was coined in the ‘70s. Used in a sentence, “We’re having a party tonight, be there or be square.”
This phrase was used to refer to all of the good looking people of the ‘70s with their feathered hair and bell bottom jeans. Used in a sentence, “Tom Selleck is so foxy.”
Be careful where you use the terms bummer and bummed, because in England those words have a totally different meaning. Used in a sentence, “The concert got cancelled, what a bummer.”
Of all of the slang terms used to refer to money, this one is the most fun to use on a daily basis. Used in a sentence, “Gotta get to work and make that bread!”
Woman have been called chicks for decades, as well as many other animal nicknames. Used in a sentence, “I went to school with that chick, she was totally sweet.”
In the ‘70s, funky was a term used to describe something totally cool, like a song with an awesome bass line or a sequined jumpsuit. Used in a sentence, “That new Stevie Wonder album is so funky.”
This phrase isn’t used to refer to elbows or knees, but instead, something that was above average. Used in a sentence, “That new ABBA album is the joint.”
Contrary to popular belief, this word wasn’t coined by the comedian Steve Martin. Used in a sentence, “We’re doing alright, everything is copacetic.”
Probably referring to Playboy bunnies, this phrase meant that a girl was good looking. Used in a sentence, “Did you see Kelly’s outfit today? She’s such a bunny.”
If someone needed some time to get their priorities back into focus, they might use this phrase. Used in a sentence, “I took a gap year after high school because I just needed to get my head together.”
The term Smokey was first used to refer to Parks service employees and then any officer, including police officers. Used in a sentence, “Watch out for that stop sign, we’ve got a Smokey on our tail.”
“Catch my drift” essentially has the same meaning as phrases like “ya know?” or “get it?” Used in a sentence, “I’ve gotta get my head together, do you catch my drift?”
Used to describe anything good looking, cool or just plain awesome, this phrase is still used to describe things that are good quality. Used in a sentence, “This guitar amp is boss.”
This term was used to describe someone who just said something dumb or without any thought. Used in a sentence, “I can’t believe you think the sky is green, you’re so stunned.”
Maybe because most clothing is made from threads, this term took off to mean clothes in the ‘70s. But, hair threading is also a common form of hair removal.
The term rip off may have originated in prisons in the United States during the early 1900s. The word “rip” was used as slang for steal, which slowly morphed into “rip off.”
To fake someone out means to trick or deceive them, just like wearing a mask or other disguise would trick someone into believing a fake costume.
A novel titled “Freaky Deaky” was written in 1988 and was adapted into a crime-comedy-thriller movie in 2012.
Flower power was a slogan used during the 1960s and 1970s to symbolize non-violence after a television advertisement showing a little girl picking daisies was used as a symbol for peace.
The term gig is mostly used by musicians now to refer to a paying performance, but in the ‘70s it was more common for everyone to refer to jobs as “gigs.”
Gimme some skin originated as slang in the ‘70s by African American communities to refer to shaking hands, giving a high five, or other nonverbal greetings.
Jeepers creepers was used as a more appropriate slang substitute for the phase “Jesus Christ.” The phrase came to popularity in the ’30s after the song “Jeepers Creepers” was written and later covered by Louis Armstrong.
The word nifty can mean a wide range of positive attributes, including smart, stylish, good looking, clean, or cool.
This phrase originated in England where the form of currency is Pound sterling. The phrase was used to mean that something was good and stable, just like the value of a pound.
This phrase is used for encouragement, to mean keep on with what you’re doing. Used in a sentence, “You’ve got this, keep on trucking.”
To boogie down means to dance very enthusiastically. Used in a sentence, “This song makes me want to boogie down!”
The phrase was used to describe someone acting weird, unusual or just plain silly. Used in a sentence, “Steve won’t stop playing with the noisemakers. What a fry!”
We’ve all seen this happen to someone in the office. Used in a sentence, “Here’s a piece of gum. (Pulls it away.) Psyche!”
In this phrase a solid is a favor, because doing someone a favor is a sign of a rock solid friendship. Used in a sentence, “Hey man, can you do me a solid?”
This term implies that the other side of today is tomorrow. Used in a sentence, “I’ve got to go, catch you on the flip-side!”
This phrase means distraction or confusion, not literally eating lunch. Used in a sentence, “She didn’t get any of the answers right, she’s totally out to lunch.”
Way before shortening words was a mainstay, there was bogue. Used in a sentence, “You’ve got a test tomorrow? That’s totally bogue.”
This is used to say that a woman is attractive because she’s well put together and well proportioned. Used in a sentence, “She’s built like a brick house.”
“The man” is used as a catch-all phrase for authority figures that could include the government, the police or just your dad. Used in a sentence, “The man keeps bringing me down.”
This phrase is the inevitable 70’s toot reference. Used in a sentence, “Stay out of there, I just laid a gasser.”
If someone is being a spaz, they’re probably wound up on too much coffee. Used in a sentence, “You’re bouncing off the walls, stop being such a spaz.”
Cool beans is simply a trendier way of saying okay, even though eating cool beans for dinner is not cool beans. Used in a sentence, “Cool beans, I’ll see you at the movies tonight.”
The phrase was often used as a way to get someone to stop pressing a question. Used in a sentence, “I don’t want to talk about that. Stop dipping in my Kool-Aid.”
If you want the whole, absolute truth, you’ll ask for the skinny. Used in a sentence, “Let me know the gossip, give me the skinny!”
If you find yourself talking on a CB radio, this is the perfect phrase to use, but in the ‘70s it was more commonplace. Used in a sentence, “10-4 good buddy, I hear you loud and clear.”
The phrase is not used to refer to a literal pill, but to tell someone to calm down. Used in a sentence, “Stop stressing out, take a chill pill.
Taking something to the max means that you’ve reached the ultimate level of greatness, craziness or whatever you’re trying to achieve. Used in a sentence, “We’re gonna have fun to the max tonight!”
Popularized on the ‘70s show based in the ‘50s, “Happy Days,” sit on it was a nicer way of telling someone to be quiet. Used in a sentence, "When she brought up my crush, I told her to sit on it."
Someone with their head in the clouds would be referred to as a space cadet. Used in a sentence, “He such a space cadet, he’s in his own world.”
Stella was meant as an insult to disco fans, which meant that they were arrogant. Used in a sentence, “Don’t invite her to the party, she’s such a Stella.”
Not used to refer to a literal baby’s crib, this is the usage that was popularized again in the early 2000s on “MTV Cribs.” Used in a sentence, “Let’s go over to my crib.”
Later days is a simple way to say goodbye. Used in a sentence, “I’m gonna head home now, later days.”
Taco stands usually have delicious offerings, so it’s unclear why it would be known as a place to get out of. Used in a sentence, “This party is lame. Let’s blow this taco stand.”
This phrase was used as a gentle way to get someone out of your way. Used in a sentence, “I’ve gotta get through, keep on steppin’!”
This quintessential phrase is used today to mock ‘70s slang more than it was used in the ‘70s. Used in a sentence, “Your outfit is far out!”
Some people would also refer to rollerskating as “rollerbooting.” Used in a sentence, “Are you going bootin’ tomorrow with Kelsey?”
Dream on is a phrase that means that you’ve got your head stuck in the clouds. Used in a sentence, “You want to get a Lamborghini? Dream on, man!”
This term is typically shouted at another person to upstage and embarrass them, especially after beating them in a sport. Used in a sentence, “Haha, I won! In your face!”
This term is used to describe someone who is two-faced or acting fake. Used in a sentence, “You only listen to The Clash because I like them, stop being so phony!”
This phrase is still used often today, but the word drag itself can have many different meanings. Used in a sentence, “It’s raining outside, what a drag.”
In the ‘70s, fans of the rock group the Grateful Dead liked to follow the band to as many concerts as possible. Used in a sentence, “She rented a van to go to their concert, she’s a total deadhead.”
This phrase was popularized by the character J.J. on the show “Good Times.” Used in a sentence, “I’ve got snacks, a new sound system and a fog machine. This party is gonna be dynamite!”
The term hunk typically refers to a handsome man, or someone who is in great shape. Used in a sentence, “I just saw “Grease,” John Travolta is such a hunk.”
This term may have originated among surfers, who would use the word primo to describe the day’s waves. Used in a sentence, “Hawaii has some primo waves, you should visit sometime.”