Straight from the fridge

November 16, 2009 4:21 AM

Speak like a 1950s hipster.
posted by mippy (30 comments total)

FREE TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT - Out of work, unemployed.

heh, when I got laid off last spring I ran for mayor. You mocking me, septuagenarian hipsters?
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 4:35 AM on November 16, 2009 [1 favorite]

fo' shizzle.
posted by msconduct at 4:39 AM on November 16, 2009

look, been on the mattress route for a long time now; indicators of the willing: moose-eyes, unloosening of the tie, and a little too close.
posted by past at 4:41 AM on November 16, 2009

heh, when I got laid off last spring I ran for mayor.

Why? Mr. McCheese is doing a fine job.
posted by jonmc at 5:16 AM on November 16, 2009

This vibrates me.
posted by grubi at 5:26 AM on November 16, 2009

If phrases like "dime dropper", "hot squat", "Harlem sunset" and "taken off the payroll" regularly showed up in hipster discourse, 1950s hipsters must have been a lot more hardcore than today's fixie-riding variety.
posted by acb at 5:27 AM on November 16, 2009

Mr. McCheese is doing a fine job.

Let's just say I became aware of certain...vulnerabilities.
posted by stupidsexyFlanders at 5:32 AM on November 16, 2009 [2 favorites]

"Week at the knees" equalling "Unsuccessful courtship" – You really ought to know before a whole week expires. Get up off your knees after an hour or two honey, use your mouth for conversation for awhile. (You know: Vomit on the table?)
posted by gorgor_balabala at 5:45 AM on November 16, 2009

Just goes to show, you've got to know your groceries! This list really vibrates me.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 5:50 AM on November 16, 2009

Last year I was cataloging parts of an old law library, and found a document from the 1960s that purported to translate drug terminology for the use of prosecutors. The translators, IIRC, were prisoners at San Quentin. The whole thing was so absurd, and so meticulously detailed, and serious. Of course the prisoners were making shit up as they went along! And of course whoever was sent up there to interview them was just nodding, saying, yeah, great, thanks, give me more.

I'm going back to that library this week; if it's not proprietary info, I'll try to scan and post it.
posted by goofyfoot at 5:53 AM on November 16, 2009 [7 favorites]

Quit the foy-foy and let's go get organized. I mean owled. Like, real gone.
posted by Lipstick Thespian at 6:30 AM on November 16, 2009

I learned how to moon-gab space-slang like a 2050's astro-hipster by space-watching The Jetsons.
posted by GameDesignerBen at 6:58 AM on November 16, 2009 [3 favorites]

I find it hard to believe that "habitual prison escaper" was a phrase that came up often enough to warrant a slang term.

I always thought that my college roommates coined the term "dead soldiers" for empty beer bottles. I'm starting to think they didn't make up any of the funny things I gave them credit for. Jerks.
posted by diogenes at 7:04 AM on November 16, 2009

I learned how to moon-gab space-slang like a 2050's astro-hipster by space-watching The Jetsons.

Maaaatttt, stop this crazy thread!!!!!
posted by jonmc at 7:37 AM on November 16, 2009

This thread is more fun than a hot transfusion!
posted by lukemeister at 7:44 AM on November 16, 2009

Goofyfoot--

Yes, please. Please, please, please. Your internets need you.
posted by palmcorder_yajna at 7:48 AM on November 16, 2009

They had 1950s hipsters in the UK? Or are these Americanisms? Or am I just a culturally ignorant Yank blind to any foreign phenomena that happened parallel to James Dean and Marlon Brando (and, I guess, the Fonz)?
posted by The Winsome Parker Lewis at 7:51 AM on November 16, 2009

I conclude that while flappers had more fun, 50s hipsters were much more hardcore.
posted by deanc at 7:58 AM on November 16, 2009

Hey look, you know like, if you bought this record to learn how to speak hip... from a record, man, that's like the squarest thing I ever heard of. I mean wow. But, look, so like you bought it so you must need it so that was a smart move, you know what I mean, or something?
posted by Grimp0teuthis at 8:27 AM on November 16, 2009 [5 favorites]

So this is what Ned Flanders' parents did in retirement..
posted by Hardcore Poser at 8:48 AM on November 16, 2009

Dig it, when it comes to speaking hip, Del Close has you covered. A new departure in language instruction for English speaking people who want to talk to, and be understood by hipsters, jazz musicians, beatnicks and the criminal fringe.
posted by GameDesignerBen at 8:59 AM on November 16, 2009

I always thought that my college roommates coined the term "dead soldiers" for empty beer bottles.

If The Wire is any indication, and it usually is, this term is also used to describe (I think) expended crack vials.
posted by hifiparasol at 10:33 AM on November 16, 2009

GameDesignerBen, I'm so disappointed your link is borked, as I'll take a good Del Close link any day of the week.
posted by davejay at 10:58 AM on November 16, 2009

Oh, I see Grimp0teuthis beat you to it. Nevermind.
posted by davejay at 10:59 AM on November 16, 2009

People in my circles still regularly use "dead soldiers".
posted by dunkadunc at 12:09 PM on November 16, 2009

Drag, man! But I was just going to link to the same thing Grimp0teuthis linked to anyway.
posted by GameDesignerBen at 12:53 PM on November 16, 2009

Students of hipster talk should also be sure to check out Lord Buckley, "one of the hippest cats to come down the pike in a very long time." MeFi posts on Buckley here and here.
posted by beagle at 1:52 PM on November 16, 2009 [1 favorite]

So this me, I vibrate?
posted by decagon at 5:45 PM on November 16, 2009

YOUR ROOF IS LEAKING!!
posted by maortiz at 9:45 PM on November 16, 2009

I just finished "The Long Goodbye" so I'm getting a kick out of this. Chandler didn't use as much crazy slang as I was hoping for but I did learn the word "spifflicated".
posted by chairface at 2:30 PM on November 17, 2009