The 1970s produced an array of unforgettable slang, fueled by disco, funk, and emerging countercultures.
I as a person never got to dance under a disco ball or rock a pair of bell-bottoms, but I heard plenty of stories from my parents about how everyone said “far out” and “keep on truckin’.”
I’d see “groovy” pop up in old TV shows and wonder what it really felt like to use that word every day. Those little flashes of ’70s slang always made me smile, like finding a secret code from another time.
In this post, I’m sharing 15 popular ’70s slang words, with where they came from and how people used them, so you can add a bit of that old-school cool to your own conversations.
SlangWise Tip
Employ 70s slang sparingly in modern contexts to add retro flair and convey cultural savvy without sounding overdone.Why did these slang terms dominate the 1970s?Most originated from disco and funk music, civil rights movements, or surf and skate culture. Television variety shows and radio stations further amplified these expressions, embedding them in mainstream youth vocabulary.
- 15 Popular 70s Slangs That Defined The Decade
- Related Slangs
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
- About the Author
15 Popular 70s Slangs That Defined The Decade
1. Groovy
Groovy = outstandingly cool.
Groovy in 70s slang means exceptionally cool, fashionable, or excellent. I was rooted in 1960s jazz vernacular describing the “groove” of a record, it surged into mainstream use during the early 1970s via TV shows and musical acts like Van Morrison.
Example: That new funk band at the club last night was totally groovy.
2. Far Out
Far Out = remarkably amazing.
Far out means astonishing, impressive, or revolutionary, in style or concept. It Emerged from psychedelic rock culture of the late 1960s and carried forward by counterculture films and radio DJs.
Example: “Did you hear their space-inspired track? Far out, man.”
3. Funky
Funky = rhythmically compelling or coolly authentic
Funky means having a strong, danceable beat or an irrepressibly authentic vibe.
Funky was coined in African American communities to describe the raw, rhythmic sound of early 70s funk music, James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and Parliament-Funkadelic.
Example: “That bassline is so funky it gets everyone on their feet.”
4. Outta Sight
Outta Sight = astonishingly good.
Outta site in 70s slang means extraordinary, excellent, or mind-blowing.
And it was popularized by 1970s soul and R&B tracks; radio personalities adopted it to describe jaw-dropping performances.
Example: Their live show was outta sight, pyrotechnics and all.
5. Boogie
Boogie = dance with high energy.
Boogie in slang means to dance energetically, often in sync with disco or funk rhythms.
It originated from “boogie-woogie” piano styles of the 1940s, it evolved in the 70s to denote dance-floor enthusiasm, especially in discos.
Example: Everyone was ready to boogie when the DJ dropped that Donna Summer track.
6. Jive Turkey
Jive Turkey = untrustworthy or phony individual.
Jive Turkey is a deceptive or insincere person, someone to dismiss. And it became popular by 1970s Blaxploitation films and soul records as a colorful insult.
Examples: Don’t listen to that jive turkey, he’ll promise the moon and disappear.
7. Keep on Truckin’
Keep on Truckin’ = persist with swagger.
This catchphrase means to continue moving forward with confidence or perseverance.
It came from a comic strip by Robert Crumb in 1968 and became a catchphrase representing free-spirited resilience throughout the 70s.
Example: Despite the setback, he just kept on truckin’ through the challenges.
Read Also: 25 Popular 90s Slang Words Every 1990s Kid Still Uses Today
8. Right On
Right On = emphatic agreement or solidarity.
Expression of agreement or approval, often aligned with social consciousness.
Origin: Rooted in African American Vernacular English and Civil Rights rhetoric of the late 1960s; maintained popularity in 70s soul and gospel-inspired music.
Example: You think the new community center will help? Right on, it’s exactly what we need.
9. Dig
Dig = appreciate or comprehend.
Dig in 1970s Slang means to understand, appreciate, or like something. It emerged from African American jazz circles of the 1960s, “dig” became widespread in 70s youth culture to convey approval or comprehension.
Example: I really dig the message in that Marvin Gaye song.
10. Heavy
Heavy = intense or significant.
Serious, impactful, or profound, in a cultural or emotional sense.
It gained traction in late-60s psychedelic and social justice movements; in the 70s, “heavy” described weighty topics or experiences.
Example: That documentary on climate change was heavy, really opened my eyes.
11. Psyche!
Psyche! = just kidding.
It’s an exclamation used to indicate that a preceding statement was a joke or a feint.
Psyche! got circulated through teen prank shows and schoolyard banter, “psyche!” became a way to reverse expectations.
Example: You’re out of school early, psyche! You still have homework.
12. Peace Out
Peace Out = goodbye with positive vibes.
Farewell greeting implying goodwill or nonchalance.
Evolved from late-1960s anti-war slogans and counterculture symbolism; photographers and musicians in the 70s spread it through album notes and interviews.
Example: Gotta run, peace out, see you at the disco.
13. Sock It to Me
Sock It to Me = show me what you’ve got.
Sock it to Me in slang is a request or challenge to deliver something impressive or truthful.
It was brought into mainstream by the TV variety show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (late 60s/early 70s); also echoed in soul and funk tracks.
Example: Ready for your best guitar solo? Sock it to me.
14. Catch You on the Flip Side
Catch You on the Flip Side = see you soon.
This catchphrase is an informal way to say “See you later” or “Catch you after this.”
It stemmed from radio DJs flipping vinyl records to their B-side; by the early 70s, it became a common farewell among youth.
Example: Alright, I gotta head to work, catch you on the flip side.
15. Solid
Solid = dependable or excellent.
Solid in 70s slang means something reliable, trustworthy, or genuinely impressive. While “solid” existed earlier, the 70s gave it renewed life through funk and soul song lyrics and “solid gold” television shows.
Example: His advice on buying that first turntable was solid—it lasted for years.
Related Slangs
Conclusion
And there you have it, 15 groovy ’70s slang words that capture the spirit of the unforgettable decade. Whether you’re sliding a “far out” into a text or telling a friend to “keep on truckin’,” these phrases add a dash of retro cool to any chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
A handful like “groovy,” “right on,” and “peace out”, remain in circulation, often used ironically or nostalgically. Others, such as “jive turkey” or “sock it to me,” are now nostalgic throwbacks, occasionally resurfacing in retro-themed media.
Yes, using select 70s terms can evoke a fun retro vibe and demonstrate cultural awareness. However, it’s crucial to consider audience and context, as overuse may seem gimmicky rather than authentic.
Reference: Back in time today – Back in Time Today – “From ‘Far Out’ to ‘Right On’: The Coolest ’70s Slang
About the Author
Agboola John is the founder of SlangWise.com and a leading researcher of generational slang trends. With extensive linguistic analysis and cultural expertise, John decodes evolving vernacular to help readers stay informed and fluent in modern and classic slang.