In Their Words - Language

Many "slang" and "informal" terms and phrases were created and integrated into the American language during the World War II era, including the following.

Term/Phrase	Meaning
Ace	Expert
All nerves	Tense
Baby-doll	Female appellation
Bad business	Trouble
Bad news	Trouble
Beat	Tired, exhausted
Be-bop	A dance to fast big band jazz
Beef	A disagreement, argument
Bender	A drinking spree
Biz	Business
Black-and-white	Police car
Blow a fuse	Lose your temper
Bust your chops	To scold, chastise
Can	Jail or prison
Cold fish	An unresponsive person
Cookie	Guy or gal
Decked out	Dressed up
Done for	In big trouble, finished
Dope	Information
Dreamboat	An extremely attractive person
Eager Beaver	Enthusiastic helper
Fifth Avenue	High class
Flap your lips	To talk
Flatfoot	A policeman or detective
Flip your wig	To lose control of yourself, go crazy
Fuddy-duddy	Old-fashioned person
Gas	A great time, something hilarious
Grandstand	To show off
Gravy	Easy money
Grill	To interrogate intensely
Have a ball	Have a good time
Hep cats	Swing music lovers, dancers (male)
Hep kittens	Swing music lovers, dancers (female)
Holy mackerel!	An interjection of surprise
Honcho	The boss, commanding officer
Hot dog!	An interjection of surprise
Hotrod	A souped-up car
Hotshot	Expert
Jitterbug	A dance to fast big band jazz
Jive	To make sense, fit
Joint	A prison, jail
Juvie	Juvenile delinquent
Kicks	Fun
Knuckle	Sandwich - A punch in the mouth
Meatball	A stupid or foolish person
Mug	Face
No dice!	An interjection of rejection
Off the hook	Exonerated, cleared of guilt
Pulleys	Suspenders
Rug	A toupee, a wig
Rug cutters	Dancers
Stompers	Shoes
Striders	Trousers
Take a gander	Look at, examine
Take a powder	To leave
The big house	Federal prison
What's cooking?	What is going on?