The largest number with a name that we commonly recognize is the googolplex, equivalent to 10 raised to the power of 10^100. However, back in the 1930s, people had a more casual and imprecise way of referring to incredibly large and indefinite quantities—they would use terms like “bazillion” for exaggeration.

An abundance of something, whether it’s dollars in your bank account or cars in a line of traffic, could potentially overwhelm you. If it’s the former scenario, it might evoke feelings of happiness or excitement associated with financial prosperity. However, according to Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang, “blowing one’s wig” could also signify extreme anger or frustration, which could certainly occur in the latter situation.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “ackamarackus” is precisely what it sounds like—”pretentious nonsense.” It serves as the 1930s equivalent of terms like “malarkey” or “bosher.” The term appears to have originated from the phrase “the old ackamarackus,” which the OED traces back to a 1933 column in Collier’s magazine: “A monocle in one eye … is strictly the old ackamarackuss.”

If you’ve ever worked in the food service industry or visited an American diner, you’ve probably encountered the term “eighty-six” in reference to something omitted from the menu. In the 1930s, “eighty-six” indicated that a particular food item was sold out at a restaurant. As time passed, the phrase evolved to also mean “to refuse service” or “to discard.” Although the exact origin of the term is uncertain, Merriam-Webster acknowledges various theories regarding its etymology.

Asking a server to bring you some dog’s soup while you browse the menu might result in a worried glance today, but back in the ’30s, a thirsty patron ordering some dog’s soup would be granted a fresh glass of water. The phrase was coined sometime in the mid-19th century as slang for rainwater, but evolved in the 1930s and became popular in the U.S. as slang for drinking water.

When faced with mundane or impractical tasks, you might find it amusing to refer to them as “boondoggles.” This term characterizes activities that are a frivolous waste of time and is enjoyable to pronounce.

According to Merriam-Webster, one possible origin of “boondoggle” traces back to American scoutmaster Robert H. Link, who used the term to describe the braided leather tassels worn by Boy Scouts. This usage gained popularity in the 1920s, and by the mid-1930s, the word had adopted its current meaning, as noted by the OED.

For decades, jukes served as the central gathering spots, particularly in the South, where Black communities would come together to dine, socialize, and dance. Zora Neale Hurston, who spelled it as “jook,” lauded these establishments in the 1930s, declaring them “musically speaking … the most important place in America.”

According to the OED, when “cockamamie” was initially coined in 1931, it was a slang term among children referring to a decal applied to the skin, akin to a temporary tattoo. However, by 1936, its usage had evolved to describe a ridiculous, crazy, or wildly eccentric person when used as an adjective.

Anyone who indulged excessively in alcohol at a juke would be described as “kaylied up,” meaning they were “extremely drunk,” according to the OED.

An individual’s remarkable and surprising display of wealth or success might leave you “gobsmacked,” a term from British slang meaning “flabbergasted,” “astounded,” or “speechless with amazement,” as per the OED. Coined in 1935, “gobsmacked” combines “gob” (meaning “mouth”) with “smack” (either “to slap” or “to make a noise when separating your lips”). This compound term evokes imagery of either slapping one’s hand over their mouth in shock or dropping one’s jaw in surprise.

During the Depression era, it’s natural that people would employ some morbid slang, and “meat wagon” is a prime example. Initially used in 1925 as a synonym for an ambulance, its meaning evolved around a decade later, transforming into a grisly synonym for a hearse by 1934.

“Nitwittery” is a rather sophisticated term for foolishness or stupidity. The next time you find yourself in a confrontation with someone acting nonsensically, using this word might not guarantee victory, but it could certainly elevate your perceived intelligence.

Even amidst the Great Depression, people didn’t refrain from crafting clever puns. “Off the cob” is a term used to describe someone whose style or mannerisms are unfashionable or banal. Essentially, it means they’re corny.

Traveling in the Windy City may indeed necessitate an overcoat for protection against the cold winds, but the term “overcoat” in this context refers to something different. Despite a significant decrease in Chicago’s homicide rates between 1930 and 1940 compared to previous decades, the city still retained its notorious reputation. This led to the term “overcoat” being used as slang for a coffin, as first noted in the 1939 book “The Big Sleep.” Detective novelist Raymond Chandler, whose novel is set in southern California rather than Chicago, infused his own interpretation into the term “overcoat,” which had been used to denote coffins since the late 19th century.

According to a 1935 issue of Popular Science Weekly, the phrase “flying by the seat-of-the-pants” might have its origins in avian experiences. They explained that “blind flying” was referred to as “seat-of-the-pants” flying because pilots navigating through fog without instruments could determine their orientation based on the pressure against their parachute packs. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) outlines two meanings for this phrase: when used to describe a person, it indicates someone who tends to act instinctively or spontaneously, while in reference to an activity, it suggests something done based on practical experience rather than technical knowledge, informal and inexact.

To fly by the seat-of-the-pants and spontaneously make plans could result in a memorable and exhilarating experience. On the other hand, it could also lead to a complete mess. Ultimately, it’s subjective and open to interpretation.

Everyone has had a lively time at the juke at least once. To “ripsnort” is to act in an extremely cheerful or exuberant manner. However, in the 1930s, this term evolved over time to become one of many slang expressions for a very loud fart.

These days, when you encounter the word “simp,” you likely associate it with the Gen Z slang term, indicating “someone who is submissive to a potential partner.” However, there’s an earlier usage of “simp” dating back to the early 1900s, as well as “simpy,” which the OED traces back to 1932. “Simpy” denotes someone who is “weak,” “ineffectual,” “soft,” or “wimpy,” as well as “foolish” or “simple-minded.” Both “simp” and “simpy” originate from the words “simple” or “simpleton,” referring to an unintelligent, ignorant, or gullible person.

Another slang term that people from the 1930s have in common with Gen-Z is “sus,” which, according to the OED, is an abbreviation of “suspicion” or “suspect,” indicating a feeling that questionable activities are occurring. While today’s youth typically use the word as an adjective (“you’ve been acting pretty sus”), in the 1930s, “sus” was used as a noun and often preceded by “on.” If someone was “on sus,” they were suspected of committing a crime or some other nefarious act.

You might typically associate the word “flossing” with dental hygiene, but surprisingly, the verb for this activity, as recommended by dentists, didn’t emerge until the 1970s, according to the OED. However, dentists had been advocating the use of dental floss as early as the mid-1930s. In 1938, “floss” or “flossing” held a different meaning—it was synonymous with flirting or showing off, particularly regarding one’s possessions.