Brilliant messages from the late physician and writer
A popular term used in surf culture, "hang loose" was all about taking it easy and relaxing. "I was going to go to the office today, but I think I'll just hang loose instead."
If someone asked you to give them some skin, they were only asking you to shake hands. "Good to see you again! Gimme some skin!"
A term used for the police, "fuzz" is believed to derive from the fact that they used very short military haircuts.
Sources: (Mental Floss) (Best Life) (Babbel)
See also: What normal life was like in the 1960s
Applicable to either a man or woman, in '60s slang "foxy" described someone with undeniable sex appeal. "You're a foxy lady!"
Using the noun "bread" to refer to money was common back in the 1960s. "I need a job, man. I'm almost out of bread."
A combination of "kid" and "adult," this term referred to TV shows and movies that appealed to both adults and youngsters. It also described those who just didn't want to grow up.
"Cherry-pick" was a popular verb in the '60s, meaning to choose the most beneficial item or outcome available.
The term "power trip" can be traced back to the '60s as a way to describe someone giddy with their own authority.
In the '60s, "hacker" was a term for a person attempting to access a telephone network without permission, as someone tried to do at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1963.
What happens when a decade has nostalgia for another decade? They turn to phrases like "golden oldies," which was used in the '60s to describe an older song or film.
When someone was making unwelcome sexual advances, they were labeled as "handsy" in the 1960s.
Used to describe a snack since the early 20th century, it wasn't until the late '60s that it got the meaning we still use today: describing the hunger brought on by marijuana consumption.
When you wanted to work on your tan in the late '60s, you'd say you were going to "catch some rays."
Used to this day, "zit" first appeared as slang in the '60s. "Zat," "zitz," and "zort" were also used, but only "zit" has stuck.
When something was marvelous, it was called "marvy" for short.
In the '60s, "a-go-go" was an adjective used to describe something fashionable, modish, and up to date.
When Jimi Hendrix declared in the song 'If 6 Was 9' that he was "gonna wave my freak flag high," he created a new term to say that you're the weirdest one around. "He is waving his freak flag!"
"Grungy" didn't start with Kurt Cobain! In the '60s, it was used to describe something dirty, filthy, rarely washed, or otherwise revolting.
Inspired by actor Humphrey Bogart's tendency to let a cigarette dangle in his mouth for way longer than was necessary, "bogart" was used to criticize those who took more than their fair share. "Don't bogart all the popcorn!"
Back in the '60s, the slang "bag" was usually related to someone's scene, taste, or overall disposition.
This '60s slang is simply another name for a very popular car model, the Volkswagen Beetle.
Fab, short for fabulous, was imported to the US right along with the Beatles, circa 1963. The Fab Four, indeed!
The rise of the counterculture hippie movement preached love over war. This quickly led to a noun to describe the group’s influence: "flower power."
Dating back to the '60s, "bummer" was originally used to describe any unpleasant experience, or that you're just a little depressed.
"Mellow" was used to describe the relaxed and laid-back state of mind when one was stoned.
During the '60s, a "gas" was any activity likely to inspire laughter. "You have to make it to my party tonight. It's going to be a gas."
Jazz lingo, "far out" was originally used as an alternative to adjectives like "great" or "pleasant." "Have you listened to the new Beatles record? It's far out!"
"Dig it" meant to understand or agree with something. "Can you dig it?"
"Groovy" is an adjective that was used to describe something cool, hip, and awesome. "That's groovy!"
Ah, the 1960s! A decade that gave us mind-boggling scientific advancements, massive civil rights victories, and free-spirited, hippie counterculture. What better way to revel in nostalgia than by revisiting some quintessential '60s slang? From "far out" to "groovy," this revolutionary decade gave us some of the best slang of the 20th century. Can you dig it?
Ready? Click on to see what people had on the tip of their tongues during the '60s.
The best 1960s slang terms
Can you dig it?
LIFESTYLE Language
Ah, the 1960s! A decade that gave us mind-boggling scientific advancements, massive civil rights victories, and free-spirited, hippie counterculture. What better way to revel in nostalgia than by revisiting some quintessential '60s slang? From "far out" to "groovy," this revolutionary decade gave us some of the best slang of the 20th century. Can you dig it?
Ready? Click on to see what people had on the tip of their tongues during the '60s.