General Slang:
* "A-OK": This phrase, popularized by WWII, meant "everything is alright" or "perfect".
* "Beat it": A blunt way to tell someone to leave.
* "Big cheese": Someone important or powerful.
* "Buzz off": Another way to tell someone to leave.
* "Cool cat": A stylish and relaxed person.
* "Dead end": A hopeless situation.
* "Drag": A boring or unpleasant experience.
* "Gee whiz": An exclamation of surprise or excitement.
* "Golly": A milder exclamation of surprise.
* "Hot dog": An exclamation of enthusiasm or excitement.
* "Jeepers": Another exclamation of surprise.
* "Keen": Meaning "cool" or "great".
* "Let's boogie": An invitation to dance or have fun.
* "Mellow": Relaxed, calm, or easygoing.
* "Nuts": Crazy or foolish.
* "Out of sight": Excellent, impressive, or cool.
* "Rad": A short form for "radical" meaning "cool" or "great".
* "Real swell": A polite way to say "very good."
* "Swell": Excellent or wonderful.
* "That's the ticket": That's exactly what is needed.
* "The cat's pajamas": Something excellent.
* "What's the story, morning glory": A greeting.
* "You betcha": Absolutely, yes.
Expressions of Dislike:
* "Blah": Boring or uninspiring.
* "Cheeseburger": A person considered to be uncool or dull.
* "Corny": Unoriginal, old-fashioned, or lacking in style.
* "Square": A person who is not cool, trendy, or fashionable.
* "What a drag": A way of expressing that something is boring or disappointing.
Other Notes:
* Jive talk: A slang-heavy style of speaking often used by young people and associated with jazz music.
* "Dig": To understand or appreciate something.
* The use of "phony" was becoming popular to describe something or someone that was fake or insincere.
Remember, slang is constantly evolving, and what was cool in 1949 might sound dated today. This list gives you a glimpse into the language of a bygone era, reflecting the hopes, fears, and attitudes of a generation shaped by wartime and the dawn of a new age.