70s slang was a vibrant mix of groovy expressions, playful insults, and laid-back phrases that captured the free-spirited energy of the decade.
The 1970s wasn’t just a decade—it was a vibe. From disco-lit dance floors to shag-carpeted living rooms, the way people talked was just as groovy as the culture itself. Whether you were boogieing at the roller rink, keepin’ it cool in bell-bottoms, or just trying to avoid a bummer, 70s slang was everywhere. Some phrases have stuck around, while others have faded like an old 8-track tape. So, can you dig it? Let’s take a trip back in time and break down the most far-out slang of the decade.
The 70s had no shortage of ways to say something was cool.
Far Out
What it Meant
Expression of amazement for something really unusual or far from the norm.
Ways to Use it
Expressing amazement: “Did you see that laser light show at the concert last night? It was far out!” Agreeing with someone: “You wanna road trip to California this summer? Far out, man—I’m in!” Reacting to something unexpected: “You’re telling me your uncle toured with The Rolling Stones? That’s far out!” Describing something unique or unusual: “Her new shag carpet is orange and purple—it’s totally far out.” Showing approval: “Your new bell bottoms are far out, dude. You look like a rock star!”
Groovy
What it Meant
Excellent or cool, but with a laid-back vibe.
Ways to Use it
Describing something stylish or cool:“Check out this shag carpet—it’s so groovy, man!” Reacting to something exciting:“That new disco track is totally groovy, I can’t stop dancing!” Inviting someone to a fun event:“We’re throwing a groovy backyard bash this weekend—you gotta come!” Talking about a great fashion find:“I just picked up a groovy pair of bell-bottoms that scream 1975.” Complimenting someone’s vibe or setup:“Your van has a lava lamp and beaded curtains? That’s seriously groovy.”
Outta Sight
What it Meant
Absolutely fantastic. “Outta Sight” is an extension of “Far Out,” as in, “That’s so cool that it’s just not far out; it’s totally out of sight!”
Ways to Use it
Expressing excitement about an event:“That roller disco last night was outta sight! The DJ was on fire!” Reacting to something impressive:“You learned how to play the electric guitar? That’s outta sight!” Describing an amazing fashion choice:“Your sequined jumpsuit is outta sight! You look like a rock star.” Praising a great meal:“This homemade fondue is outta sight! I gotta get the recipe.” Celebrating good news:“We’re taking a road trip down Route 66 this summer? Outta sight!”
Rad
What it Meant
Fresh, New, Exciting—the highest praise possible. As you might expect, “Rad” comes from the word “Radical,” indicating that something is not just cool but unprecedented.
Ways to Use it
Reacting to an exciting event:“That skateboard trick was rad! You totally nailed it.” Describing a stylish outfit:“Your tie-dye shirt is rad—where’d you get it?” Complimenting someone’s skills:“You play the drums? That’s rad! We should start a band.” Expressing excitement about plans:“We’re going to see The Rolling Stones this weekend? Rad!”
Solid
What it Meant
Reliable, genuine, or impressive. It was often used to describe a person or thing that was trustworthy, cool, or just plain good.
Ways to Use it
Describing a trustworthy person:“You can count on Jimmy to have your back—he’s a real solid guy.” Approving of something impressive:“That bass line was totally solid, man. You really nailed it!” Expressing agreement:“Groovy idea! Heading to the beach sounds solid to me.”
Slang from Movies, TV, and Other Pop Culture
We got some of our most unforgettable slang phrases from the pop culture around us.
Dy-no-mite!
What it Meant
“Oh neat” or “Oh cool.”
Ways to Use it
Check out the video below for all the times J.J. said “Dy-no-mite” on “Good Times”
A casual way of saying “Goodbye” or “See you later.” This phrase comes from CB radio slang, where “the flip side” meant the other side of a radio transmission. It also refers to vinyl records, where the flip side (B-side) is the track played after the main one.
Ways to Use it
“I gotta head out, man. Catch you on the flip side.”
Sock It to Me
What it Meant
A playful, assertive way of saying “Give it to me” or “Let me have it,” often used to ask someone to speak frankly, bring their best effort, or entertain you. Popularized by the TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In during the late 60s and 70s.
A motivational expression meaning to keep moving forward, stay resilient, or persevere through challenges. Popularized by the 1968 comic art of Robert Crumb, it became a catchphrase for staying positive and forging ahead.
Ways to Use it
“We’ve come this far, so let’s keep on truckin’ and finish what we started.”
You Bet Your Sweet Bippy
What it Meant
An emphatic way of saying “You can be absolutely sure” or “Definitely”. The phrase was popularized by the comedy show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In during the late 60s and early 70s.
Ways to Use it
“Are we going to that party tonight? You bet your sweet bippy!”
Code Words and Phrases
The 70s was all about rebelling against the establishment and creating something fresh and exciting. We wanted to keep things under the radar from the older generations, so we invented new and unique ways of talking—code words and phrases only our crowd would understand.
Bummer
What it Meant
A term used to describe something that is disappointing, unfortunate, or unpleasant. It was commonly used to express mild frustration or sympathy over a negative situation.
Ways to Use it
“I lost my wallet somewhere at the party. What a bummer.”
Burn Rubber
What it Meant
To drive away quickly, leaving tire marks or the smell of burnt rubber. It was commonly used to describe making a fast getaway or showing off driving skills.
Ways to Use it
“He loves to burn rubber in that souped-up Camaro of his.”
Can You Dig It?
What it Meant
A casual way of asking “Do you understand?” or “Do you agree?” It was often used to check if someone was on the same wavelength or to confirm shared enthusiasm.
Ways to Use it
“I’m talking about freedom and good vibes, man. Can you dig it?”
Catch Some Rays
What it Meant
To sunbathe or spend time relaxing in the sun. It was a popular phrase for anyone working on their tan.
Ways to Use it
“She spent the whole afternoon catching some rays by the pool.”
Chick
What it Meant
A casual slang term for a young woman. While popular in the 60s and 70s, it could be considered dismissive or sexist depending on the context.
Ways to Use it
“Did you see that chick dancing in the club? She’s got some serious moves.”
Dig
What it Meant
To understand, appreciate, or enjoy something, often used to convey approval or agreement. It was a popular term in jazz circles before becoming mainstream slang in the 60s and 70s.
Ways to Use it
“I really dig your style, man. It’s totally unique.”
Do Me a Solid
What it Meant
A casual way of saying “Goodbye” or “See you later.” This phrase comes from CB radio slang, where “the flip side” meant the other side of a radio transmission. It also refers to vinyl records, where the flip side (B-side) is the track played after the main one.
Ways to Use it
“I gotta head out, man. Catch you on the flip side.”
Freak Out
What it Meant
To lose control emotionally, whether from panic, excitement, anger, or intense drug experiences. It was used to describe anything from having a bad trip to overreacting to a stressful situation.
Ways to Use it
“Don’t freak out, man! It’s just a little rain.”
Guilt Trip
What it Meant
Making another person feel guilty to manipulate their behavior or actions. “Guilt Trip” originated in the psychology movement of the 1970s and then became slang that we still use today.
Ways to Use it
“She tried to guilt trip him into staying home instead of going out with his friends.”
Hang Loose
What it Meant
A laid-back expression meaning to relax, stay calm, or take it easy. It was particularly popular among surfers.
Ways to Use it
“We’ve got all day, so just hang loose and enjoy the sunshine.”
Hassle
What it Meant
As a noun, it means trouble, annoyance, or inconvenience. As a verb, it means to bother, annoy, or give someone a hard time. It became popular in the 70s to describe everyday frustrations or conflicts.
Ways to Use it
An annoyance: “Dealing with the ticket line was such a hassle.” Giving someone a hard time: “Stop hassling me about cleaning my room—I’ll get to it.”
Heavy
What it Meant
Used to describe something serious, intense, or profound. It was often applied to deep conversations, powerful music, or emotionally charged experiences.
Ways to Use it
“He laid some heavy truths on me last night, and I’m still trying to process it.”
Lay it On Me
What it Meant
A casual way of saying “Tell me the truth” or “Let me see what you’ve got“
Ways to Use it
Tell me the truth:“You’ve got something to say? Lay it on me.” Show me what you’ve got:“The band’s about to play their new song—go on, guys, lay it on me!”
Man
What it Meant
A casual term for addressing or referring to someone, regardless of gender. It was often used as a friendly greeting, to emphasize a point, or to express frustration.
Ways to Use it
“Listen, man, I’m just trying to figure things out.”
Mellow Out
What it Meant
To calm down, relax, or become more laid-back, often used in the context of chilling out after feeling stressed or agitated. It was also associated with the relaxed vibe of hippie culture.
Ways to Use it
“You need to mellow out and just enjoy the music, man.”
Peace Out
What it Meant
A casual way of saying “Goodbye” or “See you later”, often used to convey a laid-back, friendly farewell.
Ways to Use it
“It’s been real, but I gotta split. Peace out, dude.”
Rap
What it Meant
To talk or have a casual conversation, especially when sharing ideas or engaging in a deep or meaningful discussion. It was often used in counterculture circles to describe authentic, unfiltered communication.
Ways to Use it
“We stayed up all night just rapping about life and music.”
Stoked
What it Meant
Extremely excited, enthusiastic, or eager about something. It was especially popular among surfers and skaters during the 70s.
Ways to Use it
“I’m so stoked for the concert tonight—it’s gonna be amazing!”
Drug Slang
The 70s counterculture brought with it a wave of new slang centered around drugs and the laid-back lifestyle many young people embraced.
Acid
What it Meant
A slang term for LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), a powerful hallucinogenic drug that became popular during the 60s and 70s counterculture movements.
Ways to Use it
“He took some acid before the concert and spent the whole night staring at the light show.” “You could always spot someone on acid by the way they were trippin’ over the simplest things.”
Bogart
What it Meant
To selfishly hog or monopolize something, especially a joint or cigarette, without sharing. The term originated from actor Humphrey Bogart, who was often seen with a cigarette hanging from his lips in films, implying he rarely shared.
Ways to Use it
“Hey, don’t bogart that joint—pass it around, man!”
Dealing
What it Meant
A slang term for selling or distributing drugs, especially marijuana, cocaine, or other illegal substances. It often implies a secretive or underground activity.
Ways to Use it
“He got busted for dealing pot out of his van.”
Dime Bag
What it Meant
A small amount of marijuana, usually weighing about one-tenth of an ounce (roughly 1 gram) and traditionally sold for ten dollars.
Ways to Use it
“Back in the 70s, you could pick up a dime bag for just ten bucks.”
Dope
What it Meant
A versatile slang term that primarily referred to marijuana or other drugs in the 1970s, but it was also sometimes used to describe something excellent or impressive. Its meaning often depended on the context in which it was used.
Ways to Use it
Referring to marijuana: “He’s always got the best dope—you can count on him for a good time.” Referring to harder drugs:“Stay away from that dope, man. It’ll mess with your head.” Meaning something excellent:“That new album is dope! I can’t stop listening to it.”
Horse, The Big H
What it Meant
A slang term for heroin, commonly used during the 1970s. It was often referred to in underground circles and cautionary tales, emphasizing the drug’s potency and addictive nature.
Ways to Use it
“Stay away from The Big H, man. That stuff will mess you up for good.” “Some of the rock stars got hooked on The Big H, and it ruined their careers.”
Grass
What it Meant
A common slang term for marijuana used throughout the ’60s and ’70s. It was often associated with the counterculture movement, particularly among hippies and musicians. The term reflected a more casual, laid-back approach to drug use and referenced the fact that weed was something natural that grew wild, just like grass.
Ways to Use it
“Let’s head to the park and smoke some grass while we listen to the new Pink Floyd album.” “You got any grass? This party’s not nearly groovy enough.”
Lid
What it Meant
Approximately one ounce of marijuana, commonly used in the 60s and 70s. The term likely originated from the practice of measuring marijuana by filling the lid of a tobacco tin.
Ways to Use it
Approximately one ounce of marijuana was commonly used in the 60s and 70s. The term likely originated from the practice of measuring marijuana by filling the lid of a tobacco tin.
Narc
What it Meant
A slang term for a narcotics officer or informant who reports drug activity to the authorities. As a verb, it means to snitch or tattle on someone, especially about drug use or other rebellious activities.
Ways to Use it
Referring to an informant:“Be careful who you trust, man. That guy’s a total narc.” Warning about police presence:“Don’t light up here—there’s a narc hanging around.” Referring to snitching:“I can’t believe you narc’d on us for smoking behind the gym.”
Pot
What it Meant
A common slang term for marijuana, especially popular from the 1960s onward. The word likely originates from the Mexican Spanish word “potiguaya,” referring to a cannabis-infused drink.
Ways to Use it
“They spent the afternoon smoking pot and listening to records.”
Stoned
What it Meant
Being intoxicated, especially from smoking or ingesting marijuana. It implies a feeling of relaxation, euphoria, or altered perception.
Ways to Use it
“He was so stoned he couldn’t even follow the conversation.”
Toke
What it Meant
A puff or inhalation of a marijuana cigarette or pipe. It can also be used as a verb meaning to smoke marijuana.
Ways to Use it
“Pass that joint over here—I need a toke.” “We were just toking and listening to some groovy tunes all night.”
Trip
What it Meant
A slang term referring to the experience of being under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs, especially LSD. It can also be used as a verb meaning to undergo such an experience or metaphorically to describe a bizarre or surreal experience.
Ways to Use it
Referring to an LSD experience: “He had a wild trip last night after taking acid at the concert.” Describing a surreal experience: “I can’t believe what just happened. That was a total trip!” Describing someone actively hallucinating: “She’s been tripping all afternoon, staring at the ceiling like it’s a masterpiece.”
Trippin’
What it Meant
Acting strange, overreacting, or being deeply affected by something—often due to drug use, especially hallucinogens like LSD. It could be used literally, as in someone “trippin’” while on a psychedelic experience, or more casually to describe someone who was overreacting or acting irrationally, like “You’re totally trippin’ over nothing, man.”
Ways to Use it
Reacting to someone overreacting:“Chill out, man! You’re totally trippin’ over nothing.” Describing a wild experience:“The light show at that concert was so crazy, I felt like I was trippin’.” Calling out someone’s irrational behavior:“You think disco’s going away? Now you’re trippin’, dude.”
Counterculture or Protest Slang
The counterculture movement of the ’70s focused on questioning authority, promoting peace, and changing social norms. Naturally, this rebellious attitude led to new slang that reflected the views of protesters, activists, and free spirits.
Brother
What it Meant
A term of endearment and solidarity, especially used among members of the counterculture, activists, and those within the Black Power movement. It conveyed a sense of unity, camaraderie, and shared purpose.
Ways to Use it
“Stay strong, brother. We’re all in this together.”
Pig
What it Meant
A derogatory term for police officers or law enforcement, commonly used by members of the counterculture, protesters, and radicals during the 60s and 70s. It conveyed a deep distrust and resentment toward perceived police brutality and government oppression.
Ways to Use it
“The protesters chanted insults at the pigs blocking their path.” “Better watch out—there are pigs patrolling the area.”
Pigpen
What it Meant
A slang term referring to a police station or headquarters. The term plays off the derogatory use of “pig” for police and implies a place where they gather or operate from.
Ways to Use it
“They hauled him down to the pigpen for questioning.”
Right On
What it Meant
An expression of agreement, enthusiasm, or approval, often used to show strong support or appreciation. It became especially popular in the 60s and 70s, particularly within the counterculture and Civil Rights movements.
Ways to Use it
“We finally got tickets to see the Stones! Right on!”
The Man
What it Meant
A term used to refer to authority figures, institutions, or the establishment, especially those seen as oppressive or controlling.
Ways to Use it
“We’re not gonna let The Man keep us down.” “Protesting is our way of sticking it to The Man and fighting for real change.”
Tricky Dick
What it Meant
A derogatory nickname for President Richard Nixon, used by protesters and members of the counterculture during the late 60s and early 70s. The name implied that Nixon was dishonest, deceptive, and untrustworthy, especially in relation to the Watergate scandal and his handling of the Vietnam War.
Ways to Use it
“Nobody trusted Tricky Dick after all the lies he told.”
Music-Related Slang
Music ruled the scene in the 1970s and brought its own slang terms that captured the music-loving crowd’s passion, creativity, and pure joy.
Boogie
What it Meant
To dance energetically, especially to disco or funk music. It also carried a sense of fun, freedom, and letting loose on the dance floor.
Ways to Use it
“We hit the roller disco to boogie all night long.”
Funky
What it Meant
Music with a strong rhythmic groove, often associated with soul, funk, and disco. It could also mean something cool, stylish, or unconventional.
Ways to Use it
Describing music:“That bass line is seriously funky!” About someone’s style:“He’s got such a funky style—nobody else dresses like him.”
Get Down
What it Meant
To dance enthusiastically or lose yourself to the music, especially on the dance floor.
Ways to Use it
“The DJ was spinning some wild tracks, and everyone just wanted to get down.” “I came here to get down, not stand around!”
Jam
What it Meant
To play music, especially in an improvised or casual way, often with others. As a noun, it can also refer to a music session or a catchy song.
Ways to Use it
Referring to playing music:“We used to jam in my friend’s garage every weekend.” Referring to a song:“Have you heard their new single? It’s such a jam!” Referring to a casual music session:“Let’s get together and jam sometime—I’ve been working on some new riffs.”
Lay It Down
What it Meant
To play or perform music with skill and confidence, especially when it’s done in a powerful or groovy way.
Ways to Use it
“Man, that guitarist can really lay it down.” “The band laid down some heavy grooves at the concert last night.”
Slang Describing People
We had a special and creative way of describing people in the 1970s, especially when we were slinging some pointed slang insults.
Brick House
What it Meant
A compliment used to describe a woman with a curvaceous, well-built figure. The term was popularized by The Commodores’ 1977 hit song “Brick House.”
Ways to Use it
“The girl is a real brick house with curves that can stop traffic.”
Burn Artist
What it Meant
Someone who is unreliable, deceitful, or always trying to cheat others, especially in social or financial situations. The phrase was often used to describe people who made false promises or took advantage of others for personal gain.
Ways to Use it
“After getting scammed by a burn artist, he became way more careful about who he trusted.” “I can’t believe I fell for that burn artist’s story again.”
Foxy
What it Meant
Attractive, sexy, or stylish, typically used to describe women. The term became especially popular in the 70s thanks to movies and music describing women with a confident, seductive appeal.
Ways to Use it
“She showed up to the party looking totally foxy in that sparkly jumpsuit.”
Freak
What it Meant
A versatile term used to describe someone who is unconventional, eccentric, or heavily into a particular subculture. It could be used affectionately within counterculture circles or as an insult.
Ways to Use it
For someone who’s obsessed:“He’s a real music freak—his record collection is insane.” As an insult: “The older generation always called the hippies and punks a bunch of freaks.” For someone unconventional: “She embraced her style and didn’t care if anyone thought she was a freak.”
Jive Turkey
What it Meant
A slang insult aimed at someone who is dishonest, insincere, or full of nonsense. It was popularized through Blaxploitation films and television shows, where it often carried a playful yet cutting tone.
Ways to Use it
“Don’t listen to him, he’s just a jive turkey trying to impress everyone.” “You said you’d help me out, but you never showed up. What a jive turkey.”
Space Cadet
What it Meant
A playful or derogatory term for someone who is scatterbrained, out of touch with reality, or overly dreamy. The phrase often implied someone was distracted or behaving in a spaced-out, absent-minded way—sometimes due to drug use.
Ways to Use it
“Don’t ask him for directions—he’s a total space cadet.” “He was so high at the concert, just sitting there like a complete space cadet“
Now It’s Your Turn
We’ve covered some of the most iconic phrases, but we know there’s more out there! If we missed your favorite 70s slang, drop it in the comments and let’s keep the good vibes going!
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