20 Terms Turning 100 in 2019

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1919 – a year of great inventions and events, which contributed greatly to the world`s history. Besides the rotary dial telephone and pop-up toaster, many wordplays and interesting terms were discovered thanks to people of great minds.

Here are 20 words from 1919 that might burn your curiosity. Check which 100-years old words might become your favorite!

Apple-knocker

In 1919, this term actually meant “rustic”, “rural person”. However, if to look into Dictionary.com, the meaning of apple-knocker can also be defined as “uncouth” or “rude.” Apple-knocker can also be a word, which describes an ignorant or unsophisticated person. For example, one newspaper from those times gave such description of this term, “a peculiar type of human being who insists upon doing and saying things that, while offering satisfaction to himself, causes mental and physical inconvenience to others.”

Anti-stress

This term is probably well-known to the majority of people these days. It appeared in 1919. This term literally means something that prevents or reduces stress, especially physical or emotional.

Balletomane

This term is useful for all ballet lovers. The definition of balletomane sounds like a devotee of ballet, a ballet enthusiast. Some people say that this term stems from the Russian ‘baletoman’, which, in turn, unites two words – ballet and mania. Others state that this word takes its origin from the 1920s, from ballet + Greek manēs “mad”.

Bats

Yes, everybody is familiar with these animals. However, bat with s in the end is another word in its singular form, which is the synonym of batty – crazy, mad, mentally unstable. Bats is also used referring to a homosexual person.

Beavertail

Originally, it is a name of a plant which grows in the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Sounds interesting, doesn`t it? If you have ever heard about arlettes, British pastries, note that they are also usually called beavertails.

Complimentary Close

Writing e-mails or letters seems to be a usual thing, right? But have you ever thought that there is a special term for the words you use to close them? The phrases like “Sincerely Yours” or “Faithfully Yours” are considered a complimentary close.

Danish Pastry

This incredibly sweet and delicious pastry isn’t actually Danish. These often fruit-filled buns are called “Viennese bread” in Denmark. These days, people just call them Danishes, disregarding it being a misnomer.

Didgeridoo

The word itself seems to be funny. This term describes an instrument invented by Australian aborigines. The term was first used in the English Language in 1919. Actually, the instrument this word describes is bamboo or wooden trumpet.

Dunker

This term refers to the sport, namely a basketball player who makes dunk shots. Quite straightforward!

Fanboy

This word is used to describe a boy or man who is following someone or something, being his/her/its extreme fan. When it comes to fangirl, it appeared later in 1934.

Golden Retriever

These gentle, friendly golden dogs were originally bred in 1867 from a Yellow Labrador and a Tweed Water Spaniel in Scotland. They like to spend time with people. So, do not build kennels for them. Your home – their home.

Jigsaw Puzzle

At the beginning of the 1990s, pieces for jigsaw puzzle were made of vertical reciprocating saw called a jigsaw. That is why this term appeared. Before that time, this game was known as dissected maps.

Outgas

This term usually refers to the expulsion of gases from a material or space, which is usually done by heating.

Phooey

It is usually used in order to express some kind of disgust. However, this phrase can also be used when a person is saying that he/she does not care about other people’s opinion.

Putsch

It takes its origin from the German language. Actually, this term refers to an attempt to overthrow a government, usually characterized suddenness and speed.

Xanadu

You might have heard this term because of the horror movie starring Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly. But, Xanadu means “an idyllic, exotic, or luxurious place.”

Superpimp

This word means exactly that first thing that comes in your mind when hearing it – an incredibly successful pimp. However, how this success is defined is another story to tell.

Snooty

Snooty is all the same as snobby, snotty, potty, and others. All of them have the same meaning – ugly, gross. All in all, you can use these words in order to describe something you really dislike.

Skivvies

If you want to boost your vocabulary, try to use this word instead of underpants. This word served the U.S. Navy slang in 1927.

Polyphiloprogenitive

Philoprogenitive describes the tendency of making a lot of babies and sincere fondness of this process. The stem ‘phil’ itself means loving. ‘Poly’ refers to someone or something that’s is fertile and prolific when it comes to new life creation.