Slang that changed with the times

You probably use at least one of these slang words. Which one is it?

Image: Nick Fewings

Every decade had its own way of talking. From flappers sipping "giggle water" to Gen Z spilling the "tea," slang has always captured the mood of the moment. Some phrases faded, others stuck around, and a few might just make a comeback. So let’s take a stroll through time and revisit the lingo that defined each generation. Who knows? You might find yourself saying "cowabunga" again by the end!

Image: Boston Public Library

The Roaring Twenties weren’t just about jazz and flappers, they were a goldmine for slang. With the prohibition, people needed new ways to call the everyday things.

For example, when someone needed a drink, they'd grab some "giggle water" (aka booze). And if something gave them the creeps? That was the "heebie-jeebies." With Prohibition in full swing, nightlife went underground and the language got wildly creative..

Image: Brett Jordan

The Great Depression may have hit hard, but Americans still found ways to have their fun and talk the talk.

Back then, a "cat" wasn’t your house pet; it was a cool, swing-loving person. Something elegant or flashy? That was "ritzy." Despite the tough times, slang added a touch of glamour to everyday life.

Image: The New York Public Library

World War II shaped everything in the ’40s, from fashion to film and yes, slang too. For example, a stunning woman was a "bombshell" (remember pin-up posters?), and if someone had charm or finesse, they were "slick."

This was a decade of heroes, hustle, and Hollywood glamour, where talk was tough but stylish. Slang from this time still turns heads, and honestly? Some of these words are still in use today.

Image: Brett Jordan

The postwar boom brought shiny cars, drive-ins, and a new breed of teenager. If the kids were underfoot, you might call them "ankle-biters." And if the party was a snooze? Total "Dullsville."

The 1950s language reflected the optimism and suburban sprawl of the era, with just enough rebellion to keep things interesting. It was all milkshakes, jukeboxes, and just a little teen angst.

Image: Annie Spratt

The '60s were a whirlwind of change, civil rights, Vietnam, Woodstock… And the language was just as bold. If you wanted someone to relax, you could tell them to "hang loose." If you wanted to hear all about the juicy gossip, you said, "lay it on me."

Slang became a badge of youth culture and counterculture. Whether you were protesting or partying, the right phrase could say it all without saying too much.

Image: Eric Ward

Welcome to the land of disco balls and bell-bottoms. In the ’70s, if you looked sharp, you were "decked out." And if you were saying goodbye? "Catch you on the flip side."

This was a groovy era with laid-back vibes and just enough glitter to keep it funky. These are just a few examples!

Image: Brian Kostiuk

Neon colors, arcade games, and Valley Girls? Yep, we’ve made it to the ’80s. If someone was getting too worked up, you told them to "take a chill pill." And if things were awesome? "Cowabunga!" (Ninja Turtles vibes, right?)

Slang from this era was so fun… The wave of pop culture, MTV, and outrageous fashion. Admit it: You still hear "like, totally" in your head sometimes.

Image: Bernd 📷 Dittrich

The ’90s were a mix of dial-up tones and grunge rock, and the slang was laid-back with attitude. Messed up? Just say "my bad." Found something great? It was "da bomb."

This was the golden age of sitcoms, slap bracelets, and the first steps onto the internet. The lingo was casual, a little goofy, and perfect for a generation that loved irony with their flannel.

Image: Nik

Ah, the early 2000s… Back when phones flipped and everyone was choosing their "Top 8" on MySpace. Your "BFF" (best friend forever) was a must, and to wind down, you’d "chillax" (a combination of "chill" and "relax"). It was a mash-up era, and the slang followed suit. Y2K didn’t end the world, but it definitely changed how we talked.

Image: freebie

With the rise of social media, everyone became fluent in internet speak. "Throw shade" meant giving someone a subtle (or not-so-subtle) dig, and "mood" was shorthand for anything you could relate to.

Emojis weren’t just extras, they were also part of the language. The 2010s gave us the meme culture, and with it, a whole new way of expressing ourselves in fewer words than ever.

Image: Kelly Sikkema

We may only be partway through the 2020s, but Gen Z has already left its linguistic mark. If someone’s being dramatic, they’re "extra." And if there’s gossip to share? Time to "spill the tea."

The lingo is fast-moving, TikTok-powered, and always evolving. You don’t have to use it, but understanding it earns serious cool points with the grandkids.

Deathbed statements

Beyond the grave: Take a look at the last words of 12 famous people

Image: Daderot, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout history, hundreds of historical figures have left their mark on the world through their marvelous achievements. When their lives came to an end, their last words were often a reflection of their lives and ideals. From George Washington and Mark Twain to Frank Sinatra and Leonardo Da Vinci, in this article, we will reveal 12 final words of memorable personalities.

Image: The New York Public Library

After serving two terms as the United State's first president, George Washington retired to his Virginia plantation. In mid-December 1799, he developed a cold and a severe sore throat. Despite doctors' efforts to cure him, the end was imminent.

His long-time secretary, Tobias Lear, was at his side during his last days and documented all the events that transpired, including the former president's last words. According to his account, shortly before he took his last breath George Washington said "Tis well" —an old-fashioned way of saying "everything is okay."

Image: Signal Corps Archive from United States, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Noir icon of perpetual elegance and rebellious charisma, Humphrey Bogart is an undisputed legend in cinema history. A Hollywood Golden Age star, Bogart is still remembered today for his scar on his upper lip, his everlasting cigarette, and his perfect portrayal of gangsters and detectives.

At the age of 57 Bogart was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, for which he was hospitalized for several months. According to lore, the legendary star's last words were "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis." However, his wife Lauren Bacall confirmed that the last thing he actually said was "Goodbye Kid. Hurry back," before she left his bedside to get their children.

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As one of the greatest American writers of all time, Mark Twain is usually credited with all sorts of great quotes that he often didn't say. For that reason, there are different versions of what his last words were before he died in 1910 at the age of 74.

The most plausible theory can be found in an article published one day after his death. According to this chronicle, Samuel Langhorne Clemens' last words were not spoken aloud but written. The famous humorist and essayist reportedly wrote to his daughter Clara, who accompanied him on his bedside, "Give me my glasses."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Joan Crawford, the Oscar winner for Mildred Pierce and one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's golden age, died in 1977 of a heart attack.

The actress, who had a complicated personality, was true to her nature until her last breath. She was so ill that her doctor felt it wasn’t worth taking her to the hospital. One of her nurses began to pray aloud in desperation. Losing her patience, Crawford snapped for the last time and said, "Damn it... Don't you dare ask God to help me."

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The year 2024 marked the 700th anniversary of the death of the man who better described remote lands. Marco Polo was a merchant who spent more than 20 years of his life traveling through the Orient and wrote about his adventures in a book that became a bestseller when the printing press wasn’t even invented.

Marco Polo was, and still is, a legend. When, on his deathbed, his wife and friends begged the brave explorer to confess if what he had told in the book was true, he barely whispered: "I have not told the half of what I saw and did."

Image: MGM, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Julius Henry Marx, better known as Groucho Marx, is considered one of the most influential comedians of all time. The man with the bushy black mustache was one of the Marx Brothers. Together they made 13 films, including the classic Duck Soup. After a long and prominent career, Groucho passed away in Los Angeles in 1977 at the age of 86.

His brilliant one-liners are still remembered and replayed to this day, so it is not surprising that not one but several final words are attributed to him. A few close friends have suggested that his last line was "This is no way to live!", while most suggest that his last words were in fact dedicated to his wife: "Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!"

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Voltaire, the French writer, philosopher, historian, and lawyer, one of the major figures of the Enlightenment, died in 1778 at the age of 83. Different accounts of his deathbed make it impossible to determine exactly what his last days were like.

One of these stories, however, is consistent with his ideas about God and his well-known criticism of the Church. According to this version, when the priest asked him if he wanted to renounce Satan before he died, Voltaire replied, "This is no time to make new enemies."

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L. Frank Baum was a prolific American author. He wrote 55 novels, 82 short stories, and more than 200 poems. However, his most memorable work is his series of children's fantasy books The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

On May 5, 1919, Baum suffered a heart attack. He died the next day, shortly before his 63rd birthday. Disturbed by the imminence of death, he whispered to his wife: "Now we can cross the Shifting Sands," a clear reference to the Land of Oz.

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Augustus, the first Roman emperor, is often attributed with the phrase: "Behold, I found Rome of clay, and leave her to you of marble," alluding to the great infrastructural works carried out during his prosperous 40 years of rule.

However, according to other historical accounts, his last words were addressed to the friends who stayed with him on his deathbed: "Have I played the part well? Then applaud, as I exit."

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"Darling, you've gone through worse and you can beat this too. You have to fight," implored Barbara Marx, Frank Sinatra's fourth wife, to her beloved on his deathbed. "I'm losing," The Voice whispered through teary eyes.

Barbara recounted the last hours of the singer of such hits as My Way and New York, New York in her memoir Lady Blue Eyes: My Life With Frank. Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular entertainers of the mid-20th century, pronounced his last words in 1998 at the age of 82.

Image: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite being one of the most famous artists of the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was very hard on himself. All his life he challenged his own limits, evident in his paintings and sculptures as well as in his inventions, some of which were truly revolutionary.

Even after a lifetime of success, he wasn’t quite satisfied. When he suffered a stroke at the age of 67, he sent for a priest to receive the Holy Sacrament and, according to historians, his greatest regret was that he hadn’t achieved excellence with his work. In that sense, it is said that his last words were: "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have."

Image: National Museum of Health and Medicine, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Yankee Clipper was one of the greatest baseball players of all time but he is also known for having been married to the iconic American actress Marilyn Monroe. Joe and Marilyn were together for less than three years. In 1955 the actress left him for American playwright Arthur Miller.

DiMaggio was devastated. He never married again, and never got over his one true love. His last words before he died in 1999 at the age of 84 were: "I'll finally get to see Marilyn."