Jazz Age Jive Trivia Quiz

Answer: Drinking bootleg liquor

The term "coffin varnish" was typically used to refer to harsh, poisonous alcohol. Modern terms describing rough alcohol include rotgut and white lightning. However, bootleg liquor was nothing to laugh at considering that it wasn't uncommon for it to be poisonous. In fact, of those that drank "Jake" containing neurotoxins many lost the use of use of their feet and hands.

Source:

Wikipedia. "Jamaica Ginger"
The Internet Guide to Jazz Age Slang

Answer: She's finally caught her man

In the colorful patois of the Roaring '20s engagement and marriage were often referred to as being handcuffed (engaged) and manacled (married). In our more enlightened times the spouse is simply referred to as "the old ball and chain".

Source:

McCutcheon, Marc. "The Writer's Guide to Everyday Life from Prohibition through Word War II" (via Earthlink)

Answer: Jazz band

During prohibition (1920 - 1933) back alley speakeasies opened that served ice cold illicit alcohol and white hot jazz. During this period jazz was widely denigrated by the mainstream culture as indicative of challenging old school values and for the decadence of those that listened to it. In fact, jazz was even blamed for at least one fatality - that of a conductor!

Source:

Wikipedia. "Jazz"

Answer: Box of flowers

American flappers were noted as being independent women that recklessly pursued pleasure through fast living (e.g., smoking, drinking, sexual activity). However, one fact remains the same over time immemorial and that is that in affairs of the heart even the toughest of cookies can appreciate a heartfelt peace offering. These were given the slang appellation of alibi.

Source:

Wikipedia. "Flapper"

Answer: Unemployed young man that sleeps all day

Ah, the golden days of yesteryear when euphemisms smoothed the edges of ugly reality. Today such individuals would bluntly be termed loafers, losers, and layabouts. Let us turn from such crass appellations and honor our forebears of more gilden tongue and those past, present, and aspiring dewdroppers everywhere with a few gentle words:

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me, Starlight and dewdrop (not to mention employment opportunities) are waiting for thee.

Foster, Stephen Collins
"Beautiful Dreamer"

Source:

Yourdictionary. "Dewdrop Quotes"

Answer: Machine gun

In 1919, when General John T. Thompson invented the Thompson submachine gun his goal was to offer a "trench sweeper" that would knock out enemy troops more effectively than bolt action service rifles. Compact and safe to use (as long as an individual wasn't on the receiving end) the "Tommy Gun" became popular not only with soldiers, but also law enforcement agents and criminals. For some reason this particular gun inspired a panoply of nicknames with some of the more colorful ones being the "Chicago Typewriter" and the "Chicago Piano".

Source:

Wikipedia. "Thompson Submachine Gun"

Answer: No kissing and/or making out

Flappers have been accused of many things, but being clairvoyant is not one of them. However, the "Bank's Closed" phrase predated the Wall Street Crash of 1929 and the outcome was pretty much the same - people discovered that despite all their hard work they weren't going to get anything. The big difference is that being told the "Bank's Closed" by a flapper rarely resulted in anyone throwing themselves out of a window.

Source:

Wikipedia. "Wall Street Crash of 1929"

Answer: Racing about to attend all school social functions

Although the term "prom-trotter" originated in the 1920s apparently its usage diversified and continued into the 1950s. During the 1920s the term merely meant a high school student that avidly attended as many school social functions as possible. However, by the 1950s the term came to mean: 1) a ladies man, 2) a popular high school girl that attended many dances, and 3) a male college student involved in college social activities.

Source:

1950s Unlimited. "1950's American Slang Word(s) of the Day #8"

Answer: Movie theater

During the 1920s, the film industry was booming even though talkies didn't arrive until 1927. Movie theaters offered inexpensive, dark venues showing double features, which were perfect for clandestine amorous encounters. However, as with jazz, there were those that voiced concerns about the purported immorality and decadence of the medium and its potentially negative impact on society.

Source:

Filmsite. "The History of Film The 1920s: The Pre-Talkies and the Silent Era"

Answer: Boyfriend and girfriend

Rudolph Valentino (May 6, 1895 - August 23, 1926) was an Italian actor that became the film idol of women worldwide. Oddly enough this "Latin Lover" became famous for playing an Arabian sheik in a film aptly named, "The Sheik". Of course, being a heart throb and all that made a couple being called a Sheik and a Sheba a natural development like being Romeo and Juliet or Samson and Delilah (by jove there may even be a song in there somewhere).

Source:

Wikipedia. "Rudolph Valentino"