Throughout time, teenagers have always had their own slang, and, in 2025, we have our own. In a 1972 issue of Franklin High School’s “The Mountain Echo,” they compared their slang with a previous edition from 1957. Today, we were able to make a three-way comparison.
The left column is an exact reprint of an article in a 1957 issue of “The Mountain Echo,” the middle column is from a 1972 issue, and the right column is slang used in 2025.
1950s |
1970s |
2020s |
Cool–Crazy; the best |
Cram it–Quit, stop, or get lost |
Six-Seven–Gen Alpha slang with no real meaning; see also Brain Rot. |
Jailbreak–The end of a school day |
Dork–A stupid person |
Chopped–Unattractive. |
Jailhouse–School |
Baja–(pronounced Bahaa)–The stretch of road between Ingles and the shopping center |
Bruh–Similar to bro or dude, a casual greeting/expression of displeasure (many usages). |
Jailed–Persons going steady |
Cool–The neatest; best |
Clock it–To playfully call someone out or agree with a statement. |
Jams–Bop records |
Heat’s on–Two sixpacks in the car, one in stomach and police right behind |
What the sigma–Similar to saying “what on earth?” |
Daddy-O–A real cool friend who is hip to things |
Got the shaft–Boyfriend or girlfriend broke up with him/her |
Rizz–To be skilled at attracting others flirtatiously. |
Deb–To understand |
Freak–A long-hair; usually that is different from other people |
Ohio–Brain Rot to describe something strange. |
Dishy–Real smooth |
Weirdo–Same as freak but not as cool |
Skibidi–Brain Rot that has various nonsensical uses. |
Double-Dome–A real square |
Berserk–To go crazy |
Karen–A person who is demanding and rude to others. |
Hit the Flick–Go to the movies |
Jive–(1) a remark (2) a fib |
Cooked–To be in a bad situation. Not to be confused with cooking, which is doing something well. |
P.E.–Reversed initials of Elvis Presley, which is “Pretender of Elvis” |
Grubb–Make out |
Ate (and left no crumbs)–To do something very well. |
Make out–To neck |
Dig it–Understand; get the message |
DTM (doing too much)–To overachieve or be extra. |
Main Drag–Place or street where all the cats hang out |
Straight–A square |
Glazing–To overly compliment a person. |
Mug Shots–Portrait pictures of yourself |
A load–An unannounced date (easy pick up) |
Delulu–Delusional, to have an unrealistic belief. |
Lumpin’ Lips–Kissing |
Botch–A supreme mess-up |
No cap–Not lying. |
Go Juice–Gasoline in a car |
Hassle–Something that’s a lot of trouble |
Beige Flag–A quirky trait. |
Slaughterhouse–School |
Right on–Agreement |
Bet–For sure. |
Shop Party–A ball |
Day Lord–a freshman term used only by a lower form of life |
Bop–(1) a good song (2) someone who is promiscuous (derogatory term). |
Come on worm, let’s wiggle–Let’s dance |
Hock–Steal |
Brain Rot–Low quality digital media/jokes. |
Call of the Wild–Teacher (or bell) calling class to order |
Rip-off–A bad deal; get cheated |
Crash out–To lose your temper suddenly. |
Rock the Clock–Stay out all night |
Gross–Raunchy |
Lowkey/highkey–Thinking something but a bit embarrassed to admit it/the same but not ashamed. |
Public Enemy No. 1–Principal |
POV–Point of view. |
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Went down the tube–Flunked a test |
Roman Empire–Something you think about often. |
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Take a “Cottage” Course–Get married before you graduate |
Tea–Gossip. |
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Meat Wagon–Ambulance |
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Shook-up tale–A joke |
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Go pound the sand–Drop dead |
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Ice it–Keep it to yourself |
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Locked-in Combat–A fellow with his arms around a gal |
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Lounge Lizard–A wolf |
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Hung–In love |
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Grab Bag–A blind date |
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Furpiece–A dog |
To quote the 1972 article in The Mountain Echo “COOL SLANG,” “Although you may think the above words are a poor example of the “now slang” it is the best the staff could think of.” I hope you cool cats enjoyed this article, and don’t go berserk before jailbreak. Do you dig it?
Tyler Faetz • Nov 17, 2025 at 10:29 am
Sadie, I love this! After looking through the list, I’m particularly curious about two definitions: “Baja” and “Day Lord.” I wonder what is meant by the stretch of road between Ingles and “the shopping center.” Presumably, this would refer to some stretch of road by the “Old Ingles.”
“Day Lord”? You got me. Any guesses?
Sadie Collins • Nov 17, 2025 at 11:22 am
I know I’m so curious! I was wondering if it was referring to the now closed Ingles by the new Holly Springs Ingles. I’’m planning on doing some research and asking locals who went to high school during this time.