* To make a rude noise: This was a common use, similar to how we might use it today. It involved blowing air through the mouth to create a sound like a raspberry, often done in a playful or mocking way.
* To express disapproval or contempt: Someone might "give someone the raspberry" to show their displeasure or disrespect. This could be done with the sound itself, or even just the gesture of making the face.
* To reject or refuse: "I gave him the raspberry" could mean you declined his offer or rejected his advances.
It's important to note that slang terms can evolve over time. So while these meanings were common in the 1920s, they might not be as widely recognized today.