CULTURE OF THE 50’S AND

60’SU.S. History 11

VIDEO “Youth Culture of the 1950’s”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SDlhORJLKg

WHAT’S NEW? Television

By the 1950’s TV’s are now affordable and it is common to see one in most homes

Rock and Roll MusicOriginated out of African American genres like blues,

and jazzBy the mid-1950’s its popularity among youth is

nearly universal Medicine: Polio Vaccine

Invented by Jonas Salk and first tested in 1952The first vaccine to eradicate a disease

TELEVISION

Commercially available since the 1920’s, but gained popularity and accessibility by in the 50’s1946 7,000 TV sets in the U. S.

1950 50,000,000 TV sets in the U. S. Medium for entertainment, advertisement,

and molding public opinionReinforcement of values and ideals

Think, Pair, Share:

What is an example that you have seen (past or present) of the media’s influence over public opinion?

Do you think television really impacts our views and beliefs?

ROCK N’ ROLL Origins in African American genres,

attributed to Chuck Berry Artists, like Elvis Presley, helped the

“integration” of the genre into popular culture

Reached the youth through its “sex appeal”Also why the older generations did not like

it! This genre becomes the new way to

express oneself, politically and socially

In the margins of your notes:

Can pop culture music really have a political impact?

If you think so, what is an example?

POLIO VACCINE Before its invention, polio

was a highly contagious viral infection that often resulted in paralysis

The vaccine dramatically decreased the rate of infection within the population

This and other medical advancements to follow, combined with the baby boomers greatly increased the population

YOUTH CULTURE The term “teenager” is coined during

the 1950’s

Middle class teens had a disposable income of their own (allowance, part-time jobs)Changes the business sector

Advertisements, TV shows, movies, music, drive-ins, and books all create genres/activities that would appeal to teenagers with money to spend!

FASHION

50’S SLANG Axe - An instrument

Baby -A term of endearment

Blow your top -A phrase which expresses enthusiasm or exasperation

Bread- money

Can - Jail

Cats - Folks who play jazz music

Chick -A young and pretty girl

Chops - The ability to play an instrument, a highly refined technique

cut out: leave

closet case: someone to be ashamed of

don't have a cow: don't get so excited

Daddy-o - A hipster's way of addressing another guy

Dig - To know or understand completely

Drag - to depress or bring down a person's spirits

Flip - to go crazy or a noun meaning an eccentric

flick: a movie

pad: home; an apartment

odd ball: someone a bit off the norm

paper shaker: cheerleader or Pom-Pom girl

party pooper: no fun at all; a killjoy

reds: the Communists; an angry state of mind

refuel: to eat

righto: okay

rock: a diamond

round up time: the end of summer vacation

Sides: vinyl records

get bent!: disparaging remark as in "drop dead"

get with it: understand

give me five: let’s shake hands

go ape: to explode or be really mad; to get very excited

go for pinks: a drag race where the stakes are the car's pink slip

greaser: a guy with tons of grease in his hair

heat: police

hit the bottle: to bleach one’s hair blonde

hound: the bus

I’ll clue you: I’ll tell you about it

ice it: tell someone to forget something

jacketed: going steady

keeper: parent

kick: a fun or good thing; Also, a fad

kill: to really impress

knuckle sandwich: a fist in the face

kookie: nuts, in the nicest possible way

lid: a hat

make the scene: to attend an event or activity

mush: homework

no sweat: no problem

on pills: dieting

on the hook: in love

peepers: glasses

pile up Z's: get some sleep

queen: a popular girl

rag top: a convertible car

rap: to tattle on someone

rattle your cage: get upset

sluff: to cut classes

slurg: a milkshake

Frosted- angry

• spaz: someone who is uncoordinated. A klutz.

• split: leave• threads: clothes • wet rag: someone who's just

no fun; unpopular • what's buzzin, cuzzin:

what's new? • what's your tale,

nightingale: what's the story?

• yoot: a youngster• Bash - Great party• Clutched - Rejected• Fream - Someone who

doesn't fit in