When Baz Luhrmann’s adaptation of the Great Gatsby comes out tomorrow, you might find yourself taken with the fun and descriptive slang of the 1920s. It’s so fun! It’s so descriptive! It’s so delightfully antiquated!

Well, don’t fear, for I’ve collected some of the most swell ‘20s slang there is and compiled it into this handy dictionary. Don’t be a Mrs. Grundy – work these terms into your lingo and you’ll be the bee’s knees.

Terms that don’t mean what you think

These terms have very different meanings nowadays.

All wet: Someone who’s incorrect or has made an error.

Dick: A private investigator.

Bimbo: A tough guy.

Butt me: “Give me a cigarette.”

Daddy: A young lady’s gentleman caller — especially if he’s rich.

Four-flusher: Someone who pretends to be rich while actually sponging off others.

Party terms

Planning on hitting up a speakeasy on the weekend? Better have these in your back pocket.

Coffin varnish: Bootleg liquor.

Giggle water: Alcohol.

Ossified/Splifficated/Zozzled/Fried to the hat: Drunk

Snort: A drink of liquor (I recommend not asking for one of these in a bar, as the meaning of this term has changed drastically in the last 80 years)

Hope chest: A pack of cigarettes.

Sex and dating terms

Feel free to use these when you’re necking with the fella you’re goofy for.

Cash: A kiss.

Bubs: Breasts.

Drugstore cowboy: A man who loiters on street corners trying to pick up women (not to be confused with a Rhinestone Cowboy)

Vamp: A seductress; a flirty woman.

Petting pantry: A movie theater.

Quiff: An inexpensive prostitute.

Bank’s closed: No kissing allowed, e.g., “Sorry, pal, bank’s closed.”

Terms we still use today

These ones are still used in some form or another, so working them into your vocabulary should be duck soup.

Crasher / Gatecrasher: Someone who attends a party they’re not invited to.

Gold digger: A woman who uses a rich man for his money.

Razz: To bother or make fun of.

Joe/Java: Coffee.

Nifty: Cool or interesting.

Knock up: To get a woman pregnant.

The Real McCoy: The real thing.