1920s Slang & Terminology Dictionary
Source: Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition Investigator’s Handbook
7e Official
📜
Rule Summary
Common period slang, idioms, and phrases used in roleplaying 1920s Call of Cthulhu games.
Quick Reference Check:
Gat/Roscoe: Gun | Hooch: Booze | Speakeasy: Illegal Bar | Dick/Flatfoot: Cop | Bump Off: Kill | Dough/Smackers: Money
### Essential 1920s Period Slang
- **Bees Knees / Cat’s Pajamas**: Outstanding, superlative, the best.
- **Big Cheese**: The boss or most influential person.
- **Bull / Flatfoot / Dick**: Police officer or plainclothes detective.
- **Bump Off**: To assassinate or murder someone.
- **Caper**: An illicit job, burglary, or scheme.
- **Carry a Torch**: To suffer unrequited love.
- **Cheaters**: Eyeglasses or spectacles.
- **Clam / Cabbage / Dough / Smackers**: Dollars or cash money.
- **Giggle Water / Hooch / Coffin Varnish**: Illicit bootleg alcohol or bathtub gin.
- **G-Man**: Government federal agent (Bureau of Investigation / Treasury).
- **Heater / Gat / Roscoe / Rod**: A handgun or revolver.
- **Joint / Speakeasy / Blind Pig**: An illegal drinking establishment.
- **Level with Me**: Tell the absolute truth.
- **Moll**: The female companion or girlfriend of a gangster.
- **Poodle-Faker**: A wealthy, charming socialite man.
- **Ritz / Ritzy**: High-class, elegant, luxurious.
- **Swell**: Wonderful, elegant, high quality.
- **Take for a Ride**: To drive someone to a remote location and shoot them.