Cruisin’ and Bruisin’
- The word “greaser” originated in the 19th century in the United States as a derogatory label for poor laborers, specifically those of Mexican or Italian descent. The term was later used to refer to mechanics. The fad emerged in the post-World War II era among the motorcycle clubs and gangs of the late 1940s, though it was established by the 1950s.
- The beach style spiked during the 1950s and 1960s primarily in Hawaii, California and most of Australia. It has impacted music, fashion, literature, film, and youth in pop culture. The number of surfers throughout the world continues to increase as the culture spreads even in today’s society.
Surfer Slang:
Aggro – aggressive surfing/surfer
Akaw! – awesome, cool
Amped – feeling excited, pumped up
Ankle busters – waves that are too small to ride
Backdoor – going inside a tube/barrel, also known as the curl of the wave, from behind its peak
Bailing – Jumping off your board into the water in order to avoid a bad encounter
Barney – a surfer that is not cool, untalented, rookie
Greaser Slang:
Antsville – place full of people
Chicks in skins – women in fur coats
Front burner – important issue
Heels on fire – in a hurry
Long green – Money
Washington – $1.00 bill
Stable of Horses – Parking Lot