Post-War Optimism and Jive Talk:
* "Jive" was a big influence, especially in music and among younger crowds. Terms like "hepcat", "cool cat", and "groovy" were used to describe something trendy or stylish.
* "Square" was the opposite of cool, often used to describe someone old-fashioned or out-of-touch.
* "The Big Apple" was a common nickname for New York City, a symbol of excitement and opportunity.
Carryovers from the 1930s and 40s:
* "The Real McCoy" meant genuine or authentic.
* "To have a go at it" meant to try something.
* "To be in the know" meant to be aware of the latest trends.
* "The cat's meow" was used to describe something excellent or desirable.
* "To blow one's top" meant to get angry or lose one's temper.
Influences of the Cold War and the Atomic Age:
* "Red Scare" became a commonly used term to describe the fear and paranoia surrounding communism.
* "The bomb" was a colloquial term for the atomic bomb, with phrases like "Duck and Cover" and "The Bomb" used to express anxieties about nuclear war.
Specific to the 1940s:
* "Zoot suit" referred to a flamboyant style of men's clothing popular with young people, particularly African Americans.
* "Jitterbug" was a popular dance style of the time.
* "Boogie Woogie" was a musical genre and dance style popular in the 1940s.
To find specific slang:
* Look for newspapers, magazines, and books from 1949: You can find these online in digital archives.
* Explore online resources: Websites like "Slang Dictionary" or "The Online Slang Dictionary" might have entries from this era.
* Check for popular songs and movies from 1949: These can often reveal common slang of the time.
Remember that slang can be very region-specific, so what was popular in New York City might not have been used in rural areas. It's also important to note that slang evolves rapidly, so what was popular in 1949 might have been outdated just a few years later!