21 Slangs Grandma and Grandpa Say That Kids Won’t Understand

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Every group of people has its own special words that they use, and we, the Baby Boomer grandmas, are just the same. Even though we might not know all the new terms like “cringe” and “IYKYK,” we have our own set of secret phrases. Here are 21 things we say that the younger folks might not get:

Wet Rag

Think of a wet rag—just a regular, soggy cloth. But sometimes, we also call someone a “wet rag” if they’re not much fun, pretty boring, or often negative. Where did this funny saying come from? I’m not sure, but I still use it all the time!

Fink

Raise your hand if you had younger brothers or sisters who were finks. I did too! They loved to fink, or tattle, on me for the tiniest things, like using the phone too long when I was supposed to be doing something else.

Square

It’s funny now, but back then, I thought my younger siblings were so square—that means not cool at all!

Threads

Do kids today know what “threads” means? It’s not the kind of thread you use for sewing. Instead, it’s a fun way to say clothes. Pretty cool, right?

Gas

When we say “gas,” we’re not talking about the stuff you put in cars or a type of matter. In this case, “gas” means something really fun or exciting! If you listen to the Rolling Stones’ song “Jumpin’ Jack Flash,” you’ll hear how they use it. Oh, and if you’re wondering who the Rolling Stones are, they’re a famous rock band from a long time ago!

Flip a Wig

Ever heard someone say “don’t flip a wig”? Well, it doesn’t mean literally flipping a wig off your head. It means not to get too angry or upset about something. It’s a funny old phrase we used to use, even though it sounds pretty weird now. So, try to keep calm and don’t flip your wig!

Wig Chop

Ever heard of a “wig chop”? It’s just our quirky way of saying haircut, even though it has nothing to do with actual wigs.

Groovy

You might hear some young folks use “groovy” in a funny way, but for my generation, “groovy” was the ultimate cool word. It reminds us of a really special time.

Deuce

And speaking of groovy, it was super cool to flash a deuce—that’s the peace sign.

Slug Bug

Driving around in a slug bug, which you might know as a VW Beetle or even a VW van, was the best! Can you imagine cruising in one of those?

Dig It

Oh, and by “can you dig it?” I mean, do you get what I’m saying? “Dig it” was our way of asking if someone understood us, and it sounded much cooler!

Hacked Off

You might think “hacked off” sounds like something from a scary movie, but it actually means someone is mad or angry. That’s how your grandma and grandpa use it!

Old Lady (or Old Man)

Don’t you dare say, “Isn’t that you, grandma?” If you hear me say “old lady” or “old man,” I’m not just talking about someone older. Back in the day, it was a sweet way to talk about your boyfriend or girlfriend, no matter how old they were.

Jeeper’s Creepers!

“Jeeper’s creepers” is just an old-fashioned way to say “oh my gosh!” Louis Armstrong, a famous musician, even sang a song about it. He said, “Jeepers creepers, where’d ya get those peepers?” which means “Wow, where did you get those eyes?”

What a Fry

When I say “what a fry,” I’m not asking if you want some French fries. It’s a funny way to say someone is acting weird or silly.

Cat

Sure, a cat is what we call those cute, four-legged animals. But when I was younger, “cat” was also a cool way to describe a cool person, usually a man.

Thong

You should have seen your grandpa’s face when he first heard the word “thong” used for ladies’ underwear! But actually, a thong is a type of sandal with a small strap that goes between the toes, which you might know as a “flip flop.”

Come on, Snake, Let’s Rattle

This old saying could mean two very different things—either “let’s dance” or “let’s fight.” So, you had to be really careful with how you used it, depending on the situation.

Razz My Berries

“Razz my berries” might sound funny, but it just means something really excited you! Explaining all these sayings is a bit like razzing berries—it’s exciting but also a bit overwhelming.

What’s Your Bag?

If I say “what’s your bag?” I’m asking what’s bothering you or what’s your problem. It’s like asking why you’re upset or confused.

Stop Dipping in My Kool-Aid

This means someone is being too nosy or stepping into things they shouldn’t. It’s our way of saying “mind your own business.”

We know what you might be thinking (“Okay, Boomer,” right?), but our old phrases really are cool—even timeless! I hope these sayings made you smile and brought back some good memories.

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