The 'Slang Thang' - 1920's Slang Letter Assignment
Imagine you are a young adult living carefree in the 1920's. You will be creating a story
using slang words from the 1920’s. You will pick at least 12 words from the list provided
and use them in your letter. Your story should be based on one of the scenes provided
at the bottom of the page.
Important points
____ At least 12 words used and underlined
____ Story is written in translated version
____ Proper spelling/grammar are observed
____ Paper is at least 1 page in length (3 paragraphs)
Writing Assignment Options
1. Write a letter from a flapper girl to her grandmother where she discusses how the times have
changed, and compares the expectations of a young woman of the 1920s with that of generations
past.
2. Write a letter from a young male to a young flapper girl. Describe how the lifestyles of the 1920’s for
men and women have changed.
3. Write a slang letter based on a person who is a business investor in the stock market to his friend.
Describe the stock market of the 1920's and what you have done to make money.
4. Write a slang latter to mob boss Al Capone or Rocco Perri as a Mafiosi member on what business
was like during the prohibition era
Marks
Knowledge:
Communication:
Application:
Total
/10
/5
/5
20
Due Date: ______________________________________
Course objectives




Describe some of the major local, national, and global forces and events that have influenced
Canada’s policies and Canadian identity since 1914
Explain some major ways in which Canada’s population has changed since 1914
Interpret and analyse information gathered through research, employing concepts and approaches
appropriate to historical inquiry;
Communicate the results of historical inquiries, using appropriate terms and concepts and a
variety of forms of communication.
Presentation: Slang Letter Assignment
Student Name:
Level
Description
Level 1
Assessment Scale
Level 2
Poorly done/
Incomplete/
not passable
Complete but
limited; needs
improvement
Level 3
Level 4
Very Good
Excellent/
Outstanding
0-2.5
Knowledge/Understanding
1. Demonstrates a functional understanding of social
interaction during the 1920's
2. Uses terms, concepts, fact and ideas correctly; keeps key
terms in proper order.
Communication
3. The information contained in the letter reflects back to the
central point of the era
Application
5. Main idea(s)/instructions clearly presented; grammar,
spelling and sentence structure well used
TOTAL: Out of 20 (10 Criteria X5)
Comments:
2.5
3
3.5
4-5
Slang of the 1920’s Era
Expression
All wet
Applesauce
Baloney
Banana oil
Bee’s knees
Berries
Big cheese
Blind pig
Bootleg
Bootlegger
Bunk
Carry a torch
Cat’s meow
Cheaters
Copasetic
Crush
Dogs
Fall guy
Flat tire
Gate crusher
Giggle water
Gin mill
Hard-boiled
Heebie jeebies
Hep
High-hat
Hi Jack!
Meaning
wrong, mistaken; out to
lunch
NONSENSE
NONSENSE
NONSENSE
A wonderful person or
think
The best
A very important person;
big shot
An illegal drinking spot;
a dirty bar
Illegal liquor; someone
who sells or makes it
Illegal liquor; someone
who sells or makes it
NONSENSE
To be hopelessly in love
Superb, wonderful; very
sharp
Eyeglasses
Excellent
Falling in love;
infatuation
Feet; shoes
A scapegoat
Expression
Hooch
meaning
Bootleg liquor
Hoofer
Horse feathers
Jake
Jalopy
Chorus girl
NONSENSE
Okay (everything’s Jake)
An old car
Keen
Kidda
attractive
A friendly form of address
Kiddo
A friendly form of address
Kisser
Lips, mouth
Lamps
eyes
Line
Ossified
Pinch
Insincere flattery
Drunk
To arrest
Raz-ma-taz
Ritzy
Real McCoy
Restless vigour
Elegant
Genuine article
Runaround
Scram
A dull, boring person;
boring personality
An uninvited guest;
police raid on a
speakeasy
Alcohol
A place where illegal
alcohol is served
Tough
The jitters
Wise; “with it”
snobbish
Thief’s greeting to a
rumrunner
smeller
Delaying action
To leave quickly; leave in a
hurry
nose
Speakeasy
A fashionable bar selling
illegal liquor
Spiffy
Splifficated
Fashionable
Drunk
Struggle buggy
Stuck on
Swanky
Swell
Upchuck
A car for female courting
Having a crush on
Elegant
Marvellous
To vomit