The English language is considered the most difficult to learn by people worldwide. In terms of speaking, it usually rolls off the tongue easily. But like any language, slang can shake things up. Slang can be wildly confusing and occasionally problematic.
For example, the word "goat" was once only used to refer to a barn animal. In 2024, it means the "greatest of all time." On top of that, slang terms don't last forever. There are countless examples of catchy things that used to be said that aren't even thought of when having conversations anymore. This isn't a bad thing necessarily, as it forces each generation to keep coming up with fresh ideas.
It's pleasant to look back at what older generations used to say when chatting with each other. As of now, Millennials and Gen-Zers are coming up with 21st-century slang that will eventually be considered outdated.
These terms will all be gone soon enough, but it's fun to use them while they're common. There's also the excitement of researching old slang terms to use at random moments as a way of checking who else might catch on. Once you explain specific slang, your friends will understand it and you can take credit for bringing it back. For more slang-related articles, click here to read about the most common slang word in every state.
To compile the list of slang words from the 20th Century, 24/7 Tempo consulted several historical websites and vocabulary-centered sources. These include Bustle, Scott Andrew Ross, and Best Life Online.
