20 Slang Terms Every 1970s Kid Will Remember

1 | Take a chill pill

The "chill pill" mentioned here isn't something you could pick up at a pharmacy—it's entirely figurative. And, more importantly, it means your stress is affecting others and you need to seriously calm down.

Example: "Hey, you seem totally stressed. Take a chill pill, dude."

And if you were truly hip back in the day, you owned these 25 Things Cool People Wore in the 1970s.

2 | Skinny

When you want the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you ask for the skinny. Because, well, apparently the truth had a high metabolism in the '70s.

Example: "Yes I want to know who she was with last night. Give me the skinny!"

3 | Catch you on the flip-side

The other side of today is tomorrow, so to catch you on the flip side means to see you again tomorrow. Yeah, we know, this '70s slang doesn't make much sense to us, either. And for more great out-dated slang, check out the terms from the 1950s that seem hilariously dated now. 

Example: "I got to run, but I'll catch you on the flip side."

And if you grew up in this far out decade, you’ll remember these 20 Things Every "Cool Kid" Growing Up in the 1970s Owned.

4 | Boogie down

To dance, but to do so in an especially enthusiastic way. Ideally, while being accompanied by disco music.

Example: "That ABBA song makes me want to boogie down."

5 | Psych!

When something is presented, and then quietly taken away. A taunting word for a jovial denial.

Example: "Oh, you want a piece of gum? Sure, here you go. (pulls it away.) Psych!"

And for more dated slang to ditch, nix these 100 Slang Terms From the 20th Century No One Uses Anymore.

6 | Brick house

If you find a woman's body especially attractive, you might say she was built like a brick house. As in: Well put together, proportionally perfect.

Example: "That girl is so fine, she's a brick house."

7 | Stop dipping in my Kool-Aid

When somebody is up in your business and they won't leave you alone, just tell them to stop dipping in your Kool-Aid. Your Kool-Aid, in this equation, is your business, and the dipper is the person who won't leave you alone.

Example: "I told you I don't want to talk about my divorce. Stop dipping in my Kool-Aid."

And for more retro fun, check out these 20 Things All '70s Kids Remember.

8 | What a fry

If someone is acting unusual or wacky, you could accuse them of being a fry. Were French fries especially kooky during the '70s? It appears so.

Example: "Did you hear that Steve went streaking last weekend? What a fry!"

9 | The Man

An authority figure. It could mean the police, the government, or even your parents. Anyone with the power to take your fun away.

Example: "I wish I was doing better, but the Man is keeping me down."

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10 | Do me a solid

A solid is a favor because, um… favors weren't liquid in the '70s? When you do someone a solid, you're helping them out in a big way.

Example: "Would you do me a solid and give me a ride to the airport?"

11 | Bogue

You want to call something bogus, but you don't have time or energy to pronounce the "gus" part. It's like Millennial speak, but with more chest hair.

Example: "He blew you off again? That's bogue."

12 | Stella

This '70s slang was meant as an insult to disco dancers. Calling them Stella means you think they're arrogant and full of themselves. Unless their name really is Stella, then your insult is just a friendly hello.

Example: "Naw, don't invite her to the party. She's a total Stella."

13 | Far out

Despite what it might seem, this popular '70s phrase doesn't tell you where something is located—it tells you how cool it is.

Example: "Did you see her new mood ring? That chick is far out!"

14 | Later days

Why say something boring like "goodbye" when leaving the room when you could drop this sweet slang instead?

Example: "I'm feeling tired, so I'm going to head out. Later days, dudes."

15 | To the max!

When something is taken to the extreme, and it couldn't possibly be more wild or crazy, you have reached the maximum level of awesomeness.

Example: "We're gonna have some fun tonight to the max!"

16 | 10-4, good buddy

When you're talking to somebody on a CB radio and you want them to know you've heard what they just said. During the '70s, an actual CB radio was not required to use this slang. It wasn't just truckers who wanted to talk like truckers.

Example: "10-4, good buddy. I hear you loud and clear."

17 | Sit on it

This insult from Fonzie on Happy Days pretended the slang's origins were in the '50s. But actually, "sit on it"—a nicer way of saying "shut up"—didn't catch on until the '70s.

Example: "I've had about enough from you. Sit on it!"

18 | Space cadet

If someone isn't all there, and their attention span is the equivalent of somebody floating through space, staring at nothing in particular, then they definitely qualify as a space cadet.

Example: "Take a look at that space cadet. She's in her own little world."

19 | Out to lunch

Again, not a slang term to be taken literally. There's no eating involved. Instead, it connotes confusion. Whatever they're trying to understand makes no sense to them. They must've been out to lunch when it was explained.

Example: "I have no idea what any of that means. I'm out to lunch."

20 | Cool beans

You're not ordering a side dish at a barbecue place. Rather, it's expression of approval.

Example: "Sure, I'd love to see a movie tonight. That'd be cool beans."