Talking Points Quiz - Historical and Modern Slang Quiz (Answers)
In January 2020 slang words were banned in some schools in an attempt to encourage students to use, and learn, formal English. But slang is nothing new. We’ve been using it for thousands of years and many of the words now regarded as formal English originated as slang. This quiz will test your knowledge of historical and modern slang.
Here’s a list of some modern words and phrases which were once slang:
I could go on, but I know you’re “raring to go” and get on with the quiz. Let’s see how many of these slang terms you can translate! Will you be a “bobby-dazzler” or an “also-ran”? Good luck!
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Someone who arrived late for dinner would be left with only scraps to eat – the choicest parts of the hare would all be gone, leaving only the less palatable ones, such as the feet
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The phrase originates in rifle practice. The black and white target was surrounded by soil, so anyone who missed the black and white had shot into the brown earth
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After railways linked cities to the coast, visits to the seaside became popular. A “Nose bagger” was one of those who brought a packed lunch with them, and so did not contribute to the resort’s economy
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Similar to the more ancient “Gild the lily”, “Butter upon bacon” meant too much luxury or lavishness
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Food standards at the time were not very stringent! Nobody knew for sure what was inside a sausage, save the person who made it
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“Word from the bird” is not related to “From the horse’s mouth”. Nor is it a reference to wise owls. In fact, it was an assurance that what you are being told was true. Well, I’ve never been lied to by a bird, so it sort of makes sense!
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If you did not share something, you were said to be “Bogarting” it. The phrase arose because of Bogart’s habit of keeping a cigarette in his mouth without removing it until it was finished
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The word arose in the rap music and breakdancing scene. It’s thought to be a deliberate misspelling of fat, with an almost opposite meaning
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Often used if someone did not appreciate your sense of humour. You might say to them, “I was only joking. There’s no need to have a cow”
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Made famous by the band TLC in their 1999 song “No Scrubs”, the word describes a man with no money or job
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