Every generation has its own set of words or phrases that set it apart from those that came before, and Baby Boomers are no different. The Austin Powers films, which parody spy movies from the ‘60s, showcase just how distant we've become from the slang of that time.
The slang of the 1960s was shaped by drug culture, rock ‘n’ roll lyrics, the hippie movement, and anti-Vietnam war protests.
24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of words and phrases Baby Boomers say that no else understands, drawing on sources including Your Dictionary and Owlcation.
Some of these words and phrases predate even the oldest Baby Boomers. “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. (Here is a list of Canadian slang and phrases Americans just don’t understand.)
Blow one's mind
> Meaning: Amaze, strongly affect
Bogart
> Meaning: Hog a marijuana joint
Bookin'
> Meaning: Leaving in haste, going very fast
Doobie
> Meaning: A marijuana cigarette
Far out
> Meaning: Excellent, awesome; a phrase of approval
Flower child
> Meaning: A hippie, especially one wearing flowers in their hair
Flower power
> Meaning: The peace-and-love ideology of flower children (see above), especially by anti-war protesters during Vietnam War era
Getting fried
> Meaning: Getting high on drugs, getting very drunk
Hang loose
> Meaning: Relax, live in the moment
Gas
> Meaning: Enjoyable, out of sight
Groady/grody/grotty
> Meaning: Disgusting, revolting, filthy
Groovy
> Meaning: Excellent, awesome; a phrase of approval (see "far out," above)
Hang-up
> Meaning: An inhibition, problem, source of difficulty
Head trip
> Meaning: Mentally stimulating experience (as with LSD), ego trip, something confusing or deceiving
Heavy
> Meaning: Serious, meaningful, of great import
Keep on truckin'
> Meaning: Don't be discouraged, keep going
Lay it on me
> Meaning: Tell me what's on your mind, give me something
Making the scene
> Meaning: Showing up for an event or party
The Man
> Meaning: An authority figure, a policeman, the government
Mellow
> Meaning: Laid back, less agitated or aggressive, often after smoking marijuana
The munchies
> Meaning: Hunger or imagine hunger, often after smoking marijuana
Out of sight
> Meaning: Great, cool; a term of approval
Peel out
> Meaning: Leave fast and usually loudly, as in a car
Psyche/psyched
> Meaning: Outsmart, deceive/excited, mentally ready
Right on
> Meaning: I strongly agree, good for you
Skuzz
> Meaning: Disgusting person
Spaced out
> Meaning: Distracted; not fully conscious of one's surroundings
Tripping
> Meaning: Under the influence of usually LSD or some other psychedelic
Up tight
> Meaning: Anxious, nervous, rigidly conservative
Way out
> Meaning: Beyond explanation, very unusual
