Special Report

Words and Phrases Baby Boomers Say That No One Else Understands

Ric Manning / Wikimedia Commons

Every generation has words or phrases that distinguish it from previous generations, and Baby Boomers are no different. The Michael Myers Austin Powers movies that were a send-up of ‘60s-era spy flicks was a reminder of how far removed we are from the slang of that bygone era.

24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of words and phrases Baby Boomers say that no else understands, drawing on sources including Your Dictionary, BestLife, and Owlcation

Certain styles from the children of the ‘60s, such as tie-dye shirts and bell-bottom jeans may endure (or come back), but the argot of Boomers sounds as dated today as the slang from the Depression and the 1940s that their parents spoke. (For another look back, here’s a list of 15 popular toys when Baby Boomers were kids.)

Much of the jargon of ‘60s youth was influenced by drug usage (“bogart,” “doobie,” “getting fried”), rock ‘n’ roll lyrics (“it’s a gas” from “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones; “right on” from “Theme from ‘Shaft’” by Isaac Hayes; “out of sight” from the song of the same name by James Brown), the hippie lifestyle (“flower child,” “groovy,” “head trip”), and protests against the Vietnam War (“flower power,” “The Man”). 

Click here to see words and phrases Baby Boomers say that no one else understands

Some of these words and phrases date back long before even the oldest Baby Boomers were born. “Bread” was a term for money as early as the 1930s (and incidentally bread’s pre-baked form, “dough,” has been applied to money since the Civil War era). “Trippin’” (spelled with a final “g”) was first recorded with its current meaning of being under the influence of drugs in the 1920s. “Mellow,” meaning relaxed after smoking marijuana, dates from 1946. (Here are 10 words that don’t mean what you think they do.)

MASSIVE / The Image Bank via Getty Images

Blow one’s mind
> Meaning: Amaze, strongly affect

[in-text-ad]

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Bogart
> Meaning: Hog a marijuana joint

Morsa Images / DigitalVision via Getty Images

Bookin’
> Meaning: Leaving in haste, going very fast

[in-text-ad-2]

Kativ / E+ via Getty Images

Bread
> Meaning: Money

Christopher Furlong / Getty Images News via Getty Images

Doobie
> Meaning: A marijuana cigarette

[in-text-ad]

Public Domain / Rawpixel

Far out
> Meaning: Excellent, awesome; a phrase of approval

michelangeloop / iStock via Getty Images

Flower child
> Meaning: A hippie, especially one wearing flowers in their hair

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

Flower power
> Meaning: The peace-and-love ideology of flower children (see above), especially by anti-war protesters during Vietnam War era

[in-text-ad-2]

atlantic-kid / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Fuzz
> Meaning: Police

Tom Kelley Archive / Retrofile RF via Getty Images

Getting fried
> Meaning: Getting high on drugs, getting very drunk

[in-text-ad]

YurolaitsAlbert / iStock via Getty Images

Gimme some skin
> Meaning: Shake my hand

Express / Moviepix via Getty Images

Hang loose
> Meaning: Relax, live in the moment

Shanina / iStock via Getty Images

Gas
> Meaning: Enjoyable, out of sight (see above)

[in-text-ad-2]

Deagreez / iStock via Getty Images

Groady/grody/grotty
> Meaning: Disgusting, revolting, filthy

sjharmon / E+ via Getty Images

Groovy
> Meaning: Excellent, awesome; a phrase of approval (see “far out,” above)

[in-text-ad]

redhumv / E+ via Getty Images

Hang-up
> Meaning: An inhibition, problem, source of difficulty

Bobbushphoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Head trip
> Meaning: Mentally stimulating experience (as with LSD), ego trip, something confusing or deceiving

Heavy
> Meaning: Serious, meaningful, of great import

[in-text-ad-2]

kieferpix / iStock via Getty Images

Keep on truckin’
> Meaning: Don’t be discouraged, keep going

Tom Kelley Archive / Retrofile RF via Getty Images

Lay it on me
> Meaning: Tell me what’s on your mind, give me something

[in-text-ad]

Lisa-Blue / E+ via Getty Images

Making the scene
> Meaning: Showing up for an event or party

cabhc / Flickr

The Man
> Meaning: An authority figure, a policeman, the government

Mellow
> Meaning: Laid back, less agitated or aggressive, often after smoking marijuana

[in-text-ad-2]

H. Armstrong Roberts / Retrofile RF via Getty Images

The munchies
> Meaning: Hunger or imagine hunger, often after smoking marijuana

Out of sight
> Meaning: Great, cool; a term of approval

[in-text-ad]

mcdomx / E+ via Getty Images

Peel out
> Meaning: Leave fast and usually loudly, as in a car

CREATISTA / iStock via Getty Images

Psyche/psyched
> Meaning: Outsmart, deceive/excited, mentally ready

Ridofranz / Getty Images

Right on
> Meaning: I strongly agree, good for you

[in-text-ad-2]

master1305 / iStock via Getty Images

Skuzz
> Meaning: Disgusting person

LumiNola / E+ via Getty Images

Spaced out
> Meaning: Distracted; not fully conscious of one’s surroundings, often after taking drugs

[in-text-ad]

Bobbushphoto / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images

Tripping
> Meaning: Under the influence of drugs, usually LSD or some other psychedelic

AaronAmat / iStock via Getty Images

Up tight
> Meaning: Anxious, nervous, rigidly conservative

RapidEye / iStock via Getty Images

Way out
> Meaning: Beyond explanation, very unusual

[in-text-ad-2]

Studio Grand Web / iStock via Getty Images

What’s your bag?
> Meaning: What are you interested in? What’s your problem?

Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)

Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Get started right here.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.