Can You Dig It? The Ultimate 1970s Sayings and Slang Quiz

Can You Dig It? The Ultimate 1970s Sayings and Slang Quiz

The 1970s was a decade of disco balls, bell-bottoms, and a vernacular all its own. From peace-loving hippies to the rise of the suburban sitcom, the '70s were marked by phrases, jokes, and folk wisdom that captured the zeitgeist of a rapidly changing world. Now, with the launch of our trivia game—featuring far-out questions—fans, families, and trivia buffs can test their knowledge of the decade’s most memorable expressions and cultural quirks.

Join us as we dive into the sights, sounds, and sayings of the 1970s, exploring why these phrases mattered then, how they shaped pop culture, and why some of them still echo today.

Introduction: The Colorful Vernacular of the 1970s

If you ever found yourself calling someone a “jive turkey” or exclaiming, “Can you dig it?” then you’ve already been touched by the funky flavor of 1970s slang. The decade was an explosion of creativity, not just in music, fashion, and politics, but in language itself. The sayings, jokes, and wives’ tales that emerged weren’t just throwaway lines—they reflected the optimism, anxieties, and quirks of the times.

Whether you grew up in the era or just love a good retro reference, learning about the language of the '70s is like opening a time capsule of American culture.

Popular Sayings: Expressions That Defined a Decade

The 1970s was a goldmine of catchphrases and slang. Some expressions were born on the streets, some in the studios of Saturday morning cartoons, and others around kitchen tables or at high school hangouts. Here are just a few gems you might encounter in our trivia game:

• “Keep on truckin’” – Popularized by underground comics and the trucking subculture, this phrase became a rallying cry for persistence and chill vibes.
• “Far out!” – Used to express amazement or approval, it was the verbal equivalent of a lava lamp: colorful and a bit psychedelic.
• “Right on!” – More than just agreement, it was an affirmation of solidarity and style.
• “Book it!” – When it was time to leave in a hurry, you didn’t walk—you booked it.
• “Catch you on the flip side” – A cool way to say goodbye, inspired by radio DJs flipping vinyl records.

These sayings did more than fill the air—they helped define an attitude: laid-back, rebellious, and always a little bit funky.

Humor of the Era: Jokes That Made the 1970s Laugh

The 1970s were big on humor, from the rise of sitcoms like "All in the Family" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to the enduring popularity of knock-knock jokes and puns. The jokes from the decade often reflect its preoccupations—be it inflation, fashion, or the generation gap.

Sample 1970s joke:

Why did the disco dancer stay home from school?
Because he had Saturday Night Fever!

Or how about the classic playground gags:

• “Your mama wears army boots!” (A precursor to the modern “your mom” joke.)
• “Why did the chicken join a band? Because it had the drumsticks!”

These simple, sometimes silly jokes were a staple of lunchrooms and living rooms, uniting kids and adults in laughter—sometimes at the expense of logic, but always with a sense of fun.

Wives’ Tales: Myths, Superstitions, and Folk Wisdom

Long before Google or WebMD, people relied on the wisdom passed down by elders—often called “wives’ tales.” The 1970s was no different, with myths and superstitions coloring everyday life.

Common 1970s wives’ tales:

• “If you swallow gum, it stays in your stomach for seven years.”
• “Don’t go swimming for an hour after eating, or you’ll get cramps.”
• “Cracking your knuckles will give you arthritis.”

These tales, sometimes rooted in a kernel of truth, were passed along as gospel. They shaped how people acted, what they worried about, and even what they ate (or didn’t eat).

Our trivia game challenges you to separate fact from fiction—how many of these do you still believe?

Social Context: Why These Sayings and Tales Resonated

Why did the language of the 1970s sound the way it did? The answer lies in the social upheaval and innovation of the era. The Vietnam War’s end, the Watergate scandal, and the rise of the women’s and civil rights movements all contributed to a feeling that the old rules were changing.

Slang and jokes became a way for young people to assert identity and independence. Wives’ tales offered comfort in a world where science and tradition sometimes clashed. Television, radio, and pop music gave sayings wings, spreading them from coast to coast.

Whether you were a teenager sneaking into a midnight showing of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" or a parent warning your kids about sitting too close to the TV, you were part of a linguistic revolution.

Influence on Pop Culture and Media

The impact of 1970s language can’t be overstated. Sitcoms, sketch comedies, and movies of the time didn’t just reflect speech—they amplified and immortalized it. Who can forget the catchphrases from "Good Times" (“Dy-no-mite!”) or the groovy lingo of "Scooby-Doo"?

Radio DJs and TV hosts embraced the slang, making it mainstream. Even advertising got in on the act, with campaigns like “Have a nice day!” (often paired with a bright yellow smiley face) becoming cultural landmarks.

The jokes and sayings of the ‘70s live on in reruns, memes, and retro-themed parties. They remind us of a time when language was as free-flowing as the music and as colorful as the wallpaper.

Enduring Legacy: 1970s Phrases in Modern Conversation

You might be surprised at how many 1970s sayings still pop up today. Phrases like “Catch you on the flip side,” “Right on,” and “Can you dig it?” continue to surface in movies, music, and everyday speech—sometimes as nostalgic throwbacks, sometimes because they’re just too cool to die.

Even some of the old wives’ tales persist, despite modern science’s best efforts to debunk them. The enduring appeal of these expressions lies in their ability to connect generations, evoke memories, and add a little fun to our conversations.

So how well do you remember the slang of the '70s? Find our now with our quiz!