Language is always evolving, but perhaps it’s time for a blast from the past. It’s surprising to think that these phrases were once commonplace, since some of them are so outrageously ridiculous. However, maybe a few of them are just fun enough to bring back into daily use.
Chickens on A Raft
- “Chickens on a raft” was a breakfast order that meant eggs on toast. This expression was so phenomenally ridiculous that Cyril Tawney decided to make a song out of it...which was later recorded by The Young Tradition.
Frog Sticks
- Believe it or not, “frog sticks” are simply french fries! Diners often referred to fries as frog sticks on their menus.
Gas
- Using “gas” to relate to a joke is becoming a slang trend again, after nearly a hundred years since its origin. “That’s gas” is an old way of saying, “You’re joking, dude.” Nowadays, however, it’s used more in calling out someone’s b.s.
Jake
- It’s not entirely certain who this “Jake” is, but he must be an decent guy. Asking if something’s “Jake” is the same as asking if something is okay. Sometimes in 1920’s classic literature, you’ll see it used as a synonym for “fine” or “excellent”, but for the most part, “Jake” is just good enough. Poor Jake.
Get a Wiggle On
- What’s more entertaining: telling your pals you’ve got to get going, or telling them you’ve got to “get a wiggle on?" They mean the same thing, but the latter is definitely more fun to say than the former.
Bumping Gums
- If you’re speaking without genuinely making sense, or you’re talking about something uninteresting, you’re just “bumping gums." Use this expression when you want to shut up your friend who's only talking to hear the sound of their own voice.
Cooking With Gas
- This phrase hasn’t completely gone out of style yet, but it’s becoming more and more uncommon as time progresses. To “cook with gas” means to be doing something right. “Now you’re cooking with gas!” is equivalent to “Now you’ve got it!”
Motorized Freckles
- No, this isn’t a reference to acne. Surprisingly, a “motorized freckle” is any type of bug! It’s mostly used to observe large groups of crawling insects, rather than swarms of flying ones.
Dipping in Koolaid
- Asking someone to stop “dipping in (my) koolaid” is a nicer way of telling them to step off. So if your friend is sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong, try slinging this one at them.
What a Fry!
- You know when you remark that your brain is fried? Well, the thing that helps destroy your mentality can be recognized as a “fry.” In other words, when something blows your mind, you can say “Hey, what a fry!"
What's Your Damage?
- This locution became famous after the 80’s classic movie "Heathers" coined it. Instead of asking someone what their problem is, channel your inner 80’s diva and ask, “What’s your damage?”
All That and a Bag of Chips
- Claiming you’re “all that and a bag of chips” really expresses your confidence in yourself. It means that not only are you better, but you’re also better than the best.
Know Your Onions
- If you really “know your onions," you know what’s going on in a situation. Either you understand something that others don’t, or you’re in on a gag you and your friends are about to pull.
Go Chase Yourself!
- A more PG way to tell someone to go f*** themselves is to tell them to “go chase” themselves. It might not have as strong an impact, but if you’re around younger kids or family, it’s a more appropriate phrase.
Tell it to Sweeney
- Does anybody really know who "Sweeney" is? Apparently, “telling it to Sweeney” is to talk to the hand, or to tell someone who’ll believe you. It’s useful if you know your friend is lying to your face.
