They say that good things never last—and this is especially true when it comes to slang. At least…sometimes it’s true. There are always those annoying terms that we cannot wait to bid farewell to. But overall, there are just as many great, usable, and humorous phrases that have fallen into obscurity over the course of the last century or so. Here’s a look at the ones most deserving of a revival.
Spiffy and/or Nifty
These two different words get to share the same slot, since they are essentially the same thing. They both refer to something cool, cute, or generally positive. Neither is strange enough that they get you any weird looks if you actually use them, but they haven’t made a comeback since their initial mid-century popularity.
Groovy
Let’s face it; our mainstream culture has become more laid-back in recent years. It is similar to the go-with-the-flow type attitudes that many young people had in the 60s – 70s. In fact, a lot of trends from that time period seem to have recently resurfaced. Why not bring back that generation’s standout word, as well?
Giggle Water
In the 20s, this was a term used for alcohol. Its lightness earns it a spot on the list, for how airy it sounds alongside the much brasher slang terms for alcohol like, ‘booze.’ But really, how can you not smile when using this one in a sentence?
The Cat’s Pajamas
Also popularized in the 20s, this phrase (with its cousins ‘the bee’s knees’ or ‘the cat’s meow’) was used to enforce that something was ‘cool.’ Why, exactly, did a pajama-wearing cat equal coolness? Who knows? But we do know that this quirky little metaphor would certainly stand out against modern day phrases like, ‘nice.’
Gammin’
Here’s one from the 40s meaning ‘to show off.’ Its appeal comes from how it’s not one of those remembered phrases we laugh about today. So few are familiar with it at this point, most might assume the term is brand new if we revived it. And, unlike many of the other slang words, this one doesn’t really have an equivalent that can be summed up as simply as gammin’ can.
Bummer
Some of you may remember a day when this one got used un-ironically. It existed as part of the bro-y terminology of the 90s—where we can imagine surfer boys using it to describe a disappointing wave. But whereas a lot of the decade’s ‘extreme’ lingo, such as, ‘radical,’ is a little too cringe-worthy for a resurrection, this one isn’t quite as ‘out there.’
Even though these six phrases are standouts, there are plenty of other wonderfully classic slang words that are due for a comeback. Chances are, anyone reading this has a list of their own, which you should feel no shame in using in everyday dialogue.