Words signifying approval
divine
grand
topping
spiffing
capital
angel – a kind person
Glamour Boy – a good-looking or dashing young man ; slightly raffish
gay – frivolous (homosexuals were called ‘pansies’)
absurdly – very (especially as in ‘absurdly pretty’)
chi-chi – a combination of chic and shallow and up-to-the-minute
Words signifying disapproval
tiresome
beastly
poisonous
unnecessary
sick-making
bounder – an unscrupulous man
fast – sexually daring (used only of women)
rum – odd
squiffy – drunk or tipsy (mild disapproval only)
tommy rot ! – nonsense !
perish the thought ! – heaven forbid !
beyond the bounds – unacceptable behaviour
up and downer – an argument or row
nobs – working-class word for the upper classes
plebs – upper-class word for the working classes
Expressions
keen on – sexually attracted to
to care for – to be fond of
to blow in – to come in unexpectedly
to mob, or mob up – to behave wildly
to rag – to fool about
I wouldn ‘t know, I couldn’t care less – indifference (these two expressions were disapproved of by the mothers, who thought them ‘sloppy’)
blush-making – embarrassing (thus, very embarrassing – too-too blush-making)
in the swim – au courant
she could whistle a chap off a branch – she was sexy
fish! – bother!