Slang in The Outsiders
Slang is defined as very informal usage of language. Slang is a casual type of language that is playful and
trendy or used by a particular group of people or particular to a time period.
The slang in the book reflects both the times of the setting and its characters; much of it is 50s slang, while the remainder
dates from mid-60s, when the book was created. There are two partial lists. There are many other words that are not on
here, but this is a good start!
1) booze - Any form of alcohol; particularly beer. Likewise, boozed means drunk
2) broad – An attractive girl
3) cooler – Jail
4) cancer stick – Cigarette
5) Chessy Cat -Cheshire Cat
6) hacked off – To be angry
7) heater – A hand-gun
8) hot - recently stolen
9) fly – An attractive girl
10) fuzz – Police/law enforcement
11) jumped – To be attacked; the Greasers use this to describe attacks by the Socs
12) lift – To steal, shoplift, or pick-pocket
13) lighting up – Smoking
14) lone it – Doing something alone
15) rank – Something uncool and not fun
16) rolled – To have been robbed or to have robbed
17) rumble – Gang fight
18) scrap – To fight
19) switchblade- hand knife used to defend or show off, usually opening at the push of a button
20) tuff – Something cool
21) woofin’ - to be kidding
1.The Fuzz (The Cops)
2. Heater (Gun)
3. Broad (Girl)
4. Boozed up or rip-roarin’ (drunk)
5. Tuff (Cool, Sharp)
6. Greasers (poor kids from the east side)
7. Hood (criminal)
8. A weed (cigarette)
9. Wisecracker (someone who makes a lot of jokes)
10. Dig (OK with that)
11. Lone it (Doing something alone)
12. Jumped (Attacked by the Socs)
13. Slugged (Punched)
14. Lift (Steal) .
15. Hacked off (Angry)
16. Rumble (Fight)
17. Rank (Not cool)
18. Lighting up (lighting up a cigarette)
19. Socs (The rich kids from the west side)
20. Cancer stick (Cigarette)
21. Savvy (You understand)
22. Let's split (Let's get out of here)
23. Shut your trap (Be quiet or shut your mouth)
mm E:\The Outsiders\Slang within the book.docx 2/10/2014