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

The 1970s was an era of disco balls, bell-bottoms, and a language style all its own. From peace-and-love hippies to the emergence of the suburban sitcom, the '70s were defined by phrases, jokes, and folk sayings that embodied the spirit of a fast-evolving world. Now, with the debut of our trivia game—packed with far-out questions—fans, families, and trivia enthusiasts can put their knowledge of the decade’s most unforgettable expressions and cultural oddities to the test.

Come along as we explore the sights, sounds, and sayings of the 1970s, looking at why these expressions mattered at the time, how they influenced pop culture, and why some still resonate today.

Introduction: The Vibrant Language of the 1970s

If you ever caught yourself calling someone a “jive turkey” or shouting, “Can you dig it?” then you’ve already experienced the funky flair of 1970s slang. The decade burst with creativity, not only in music, fashion, and politics, but in language too. The sayings, jokes, and wives’ tales that came out of that period weren’t merely disposable lines—they mirrored the hopes, worries, and peculiarities of the time.

Whether you came of age during that era or simply enjoy a solid retro reference, discovering the language of the '70s is like unlocking a time capsule of American culture.

Popular Sayings: Expressions That Shaped a Decade

The 1970s was rich with catchphrases and slang. Some expressions originated on the streets, some in the recording booths of Saturday morning cartoons, and others around kitchen tables or in high school hangouts. Here are just a few classics you might come across in our trivia game:

• “Keep on truckin’” – Made famous by underground comics and trucking culture, this phrase turned into a slogan for perseverance and easygoing vibes.
• “Far out!” – A way to show amazement or approval, it was like the spoken version of a lava lamp: vivid and slightly psychedelic.
• “Right on!” – It meant more than simple agreement; it conveyed solidarity and coolness.
• “Book it!” – When it was time to leave fast, you didn’t just go—you booked it.
• “Catch you on the flip side” – A stylish way to say goodbye, borrowed from radio DJs turning over vinyl records.

These expressions did more than fill conversations—they helped capture an attitude: relaxed, defiant, and always a little funky.

Humor of the Era: Jokes That Had the 1970s Laughing

The 1970s had a strong appetite for humor, from the rise of sitcoms like "All in the Family" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to the lasting appeal of knock-knock jokes and puns. The jokes of the decade often mirrored what people were focused on—whether inflation, fashion, or the generation gap.

Sample 1970s joke:

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

And then there were the classic playground jokes:

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

These straightforward, often goofy jokes were a regular feature of lunchrooms and living rooms, bringing kids and adults together in laughter—sometimes at logic’s expense, but always in the spirit of fun.

Wives’ Tales: Myths, Superstitions, and Traditional Wisdom

Well before Google or WebMD, people leaned on advice handed down by older generations—commonly known as “wives’ tales.” The 1970s was no exception, with myths and superstitions influencing 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 based on a small grain of truth, were repeated as unquestionable fact. They influenced how people behaved, what they feared, and even what they chose to eat (or avoid eating).

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

Social Context: Why These Sayings and Tales Struck a Chord

Why did the language of the 1970s sound the way it did? The explanation is found in the social upheaval and innovation of the time. The end of the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and the growth of the women’s and civil rights movements all helped create a sense that the old rules were being rewritten.

Slang and jokes gave young people a way to express identity and independence. Wives’ tales provided reassurance in a world where science and tradition sometimes collided. Television, radio, and pop music helped these sayings spread, carrying them from one coast to the other.

Whether you were a teenager sneaking into a midnight screening of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" or a parent cautioning your kids not to sit too close to the TV, you were taking part in a linguistic revolution.

Influence on Pop Culture and Media

The influence of 1970s language is impossible to overstate. Sitcoms, sketch comedies, and films from that era didn’t merely reflect the way people spoke—they magnified and preserved it. Who could forget the catchphrases from "Good Times" (“Dy-no-mite!”) or the groovy language of "Scooby-Doo"?

Radio DJs and TV personalities adopted the slang, helping push it into the mainstream. Advertising joined in too, with campaigns such as “Have a nice day!” (often accompanied by a bright yellow smiley face) becoming cultural touchstones.

The jokes and expressions of the ‘70s continue to live on in reruns, memes, and retro-themed parties. They remind us of a period when language flowed as freely as the music and was as colorful as the wallpaper.

Enduring Legacy: 1970s Phrases in Modern Conversation

You may be surprised by how many 1970s sayings still appear today. Expressions like “Catch you on the flip side,” “Right on,” and “Can you dig it?” still show up in movies, music, and daily conversation—sometimes as nostalgic callbacks, sometimes simply because they’re too cool to disappear.

Even some old wives’ tales remain, despite modern science doing its best to disprove them. The lasting appeal of these expressions comes from their power to link generations, stir memories, and bring a bit of fun into our conversations.

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