Can We Guess If You’re a Baby Boomer From the Words You Use?

By: Emily Maggrett

6 Min Quiz

Image: Image Source/DigitalVision/GettyImages

About This Quiz

Words matter, dig? You can use slang, jargon and lingo to clue other people in on the fact that you're chill heads from the same scene. Are you picking up what we're laying down?

If the previous paragraph looks like a crazy jumble of words to you, you might not be a baby boomer. But if you are, you had no problem catching our drift! Maybe that's because you remember talking like that in the 1960s and 1970s, or perhaps that's because you still talk this way. In either case, it's a great example of how drastically youth slang can change in a very short period of time. Want to find out whether your current vocabulary is still steeped in rock and roll culture? This is the quiz for you!

We're going to ask you about the way you'd describe a good band, how you greet people and whether "choice" is a complimentary term. Along the way, you'll have to remember the meaning of surfer words, hippie speak and disco patter. After you give us your best answers, our supercomputer will calculate whether you're a real baby boomer or a total poser. Ready to experience a blast from the past? It's time to take this quiz!

Have you ever greeted someone by saying, "What's shaking?"

Yes. It's a fun and cheerful way to say hello!

Only in the event of an earthquake
Once or twice, but sort of satirically

I would never say that. Hand tremors are nothing to joke about.

How would you describe a beautiful woman?

I'd call her a hot mama.

I'd call her a dime.
I'd call her a stone fox.

I'd say she was divine.

What's a "groovy cat?"

It's a likable person.

It's a feline made of gravy.
It's supposed to be a cool person, but I usually use it sarcastically to refer to someone who's trying too hard.

It must be some obscure cat breed that I've never heard of.

If someone stole your parking space, what would you say?

"Good grief."

"Damnit."
"What a jerk."

"Jumpin' Jehosaphat!"

Let's say you have tickets to see a fantastic band play. How do you convince a friend to go with you?

I tell him the band knows how to get down.

I tell him the band really slays.
I say the band is funkadelic.

I say this band can really swing!

Which word do you use to describe marijuana?

Grass

Weed
Pot

Dope

What are "kicks"?

A kick is a habit, as in, "She's on a health kick."

Shoes, of course!
Something you do for fun

They're the motion your leg makes when you fling it at something.

Can you finish this quote? "Hey, hey, LBJ, how many did you today?"

"How many kids did you kill today?"

"How many bills did you pass today?"
"How many Vietnamese people did you kill today?"

"How many wars did you initiate today?"

Why do you like eating brownies?

They're grubbin'.

They're nom-worthy.
They're my favorite dessert to scarf.

They are a tasty treat.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how positively do you feel about the word "hip"?

8. It's a slang word that has stood the test of time.

4. Reminds me of "hipster" too much.
6. It's fine but a little bit cheesy.

2. I just broke my hip, unfortunately.

If someone told you they were "making bread," what would you assume they were doing?

I'd think they were making money.

I'd assume they were baking, I guess? Do people still bake?
I'd believe they were counterfeiting money.

I'd think they were baking up a fresh loaf.

What's a "sweat hog"?

It's an unkind term for a heavy person.

It's a motorcycle that runs too hot.
It's multiple characters from "Welcome Back, Kotter."

It's a pig with sunstroke.

Let's say someone announces they're going to "sock it to you." Are you scared?

Yes. This person is about to "let me have it," either verbally or physically.

No. Why would I be scared of a person who wanted to give me a sock bun?
No. I assume it means we're going to make out.

No. I assume they're going to darn my socks, which would be helpful.

How would you respond if someone said, "What's your bag?"

I'd say I was into reading, long walks on the beach and John Coltrane.

I'd say it was a Coach bag from last season.
I'd tell the person my profession as well as where I was from.

I'd say, "I don't have a bag on me right now, do you need one?"

Who is "The Man"?

That's just another word for "The Establishment."

I think you call someone "the man" when they do something laudable.
A person with authority over others, such as a military officer or policeman

I think you're referring to "The Man Upstairs."

If you wanted to say that someone was drunk, what word would you use?

Pickled

Crunk
Blitzed

Addled

Someone tells you the car you're interested in is "all show and no go." Do you buy it?

No. It's a lemon.

I don't know? I need more info.
No. It's a nice-looking car with a lousy engine.

Sure. I love a car that can put on a good show.

A teenager tries to steal one of your packages. Is he "cruising for a bruising?"

I wouldn't hit a kid, but I'm definitely reporting his crime.

No. I'm not Tom Cruise in 1989.
Maybe if we were the same age?

He wasn't driving around town looking for trouble; he specifically targeted my property!

Do you know what a "passion pit" is?

It's a drive-in movie theater where people can make out.

It's a ... passion fruit seed?
It's a sunken living room with lots of couches.

It's a pit in Hell where adulterers are sent.

How would you praise Beyoncé?

She knows how to wail.

She's a queen.
She's got some righteous tunes.

She's a talented singer and a great hoofer.

Are you cognizant of what a "bippy" is?

You bet your sweet bippy I am!

I don't know and I don't want to know.
It's a butt.

Is it the same as "23 skidoo"?

If your husband called you his "old lady," would you be mad?

Well, I am his wife (and also an old lady).

I'd be baffled, frankly.
No. He's just calling me his wife.

I would be furious.

Would you say that you're afraid of "the fuzz?"

Not unless I'm breaking the law

The fuzz? You mean the peach fuzz on my upper lip?
I hate the fuzz! They're pigs.

Are you talking about when your sweaters get pills? I don't like that much.

Your best friend asks you to "do [them] a solid." Do you agree?

Yeah, obviously. We go way back!

Are they referring to ... solid food vs. liquid food?
Depends on what it is.

I can't agree to something I don't understand.

Have you ever said "cool beans?"

I say it all the time!

Only when eating especially delicious beans.
I haven't said it in years; it's kind of a weird phrase.

All beans are cool. They're both healthy and affordable.

Do you know what "BRB" means?

"Bring Raw Burgers"

"Be Right Back"
"Barbecue Ribs Beer"

"Buy Real Buttons"

When your boss says your new suit is "choice," what do you assume they mean?

I think they're being complimentary.

They're calling my new suit "a choice", which is cruel.
They mean that my new suit makes me look sharp.

Sounds like they're spouting nonsense!

A date asks you back to her "crib." What do you say?

"Sure, I'd love to see your apartment."

"I didn't know you had a baby."
"Sounds good, as long as I get back to my pad by midnight."

"Are you talking about cheating on a test?"

How would you call a man impressive?

I'd say he was cool.

I'd call him a daddy.
I'd call him a boss.

I'd say he was hep.

Do you have it "made in the shade?"

No. Unfortunately, my retirement fund isn't as large as I might wish.

Why are you saying these words to me? Is it because they rhyme?
Yes. I've got a wonderful family, good friends and terrific memories.

I don't know? I make sun tea in the shade.

5 Minute Quiz 5 Min

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