What are some old-fashioned words we hear on the series, no longer in common usage?

Steve: "larder" (food storage area)

Chip: "jalopy" (old car)

Hobo, bum, gypsy

"gy" -- shortened version of "golly"

“Rat pack” for a bunch of guys giving a new/inexperienced teacher a hard time

Uncle Charley said to Ernie, "Don't snow your dad..." We might be able to add the verb form of snow meaning "to deceive, persuade, or charm glibly." What do you think?

You know you're old when all these supposedly old phrases sound perfectly normal to you. My grandparents always called their couch "the davenport". I thought that was unusual, as we always called it the couch. For that matter my Dad always called the refrigerator "the icebox", that was odd to me also. But that's what they had in the house when my Dad was a kid. The iceman used to come around and they'd put a big hunk of ice at the bottom. That was my Dad's time, we had a "Frigidaire" when I was little. Funny though, those particular terms never worked their way into my lexicon. Though the terms you hear used by Beaver, Wally & Eddie I still use today and used as a kid. One word I used to use all the time as a kid was "tough" to describe something neat or really great. Somehow over the years that one escaped me, but as a kid it was a favorite.

Tough as you used it was common slang, at least in South Jersey.

I think my grandparents always used "davenport," we always said "sofa." Around here (midwest), it's couch. My grandmother never said homework, it was always "lessons." And "scrub" your teeth, not "brush."

I know this is M3S we're talking about, but I've heard some other odd words. On Father Knows Best, Jim referred to someone as feeling "logey." Another time the newspaper circulation manager hoped Mr. Anderson didn't have "the grippe." And they use the word "rheumatism"--you never hear that anymore. And on Dennis the Men. Martha said George was "bilious" one time.

On Beaver they frequently used the word "gyp" for a dirty deal or a swindle. It's another one of those now frowned-upon words.

We had some other phrases that are now frowned upon, like disparaging items that were "Made in Japan"--this was not long after WWII ended. Back in those days there were Helen Keller jokes, which were really nasty.

I still use the word gyp and have never and still don't see a thing wrong with it. It's a gyp to tell anyone not to say gyp.

If any woke jerk or pc sap dares tell me not to use any word at all I be sure to use it as many times possible. I refuse to allow these censorship happy clowns dare to rule my language or thoughts. They will not get a away with it. Everyone needs to adopt this attitude. This whole woke/pc thing is just lib censorship, plain and simple. I abhor censorship.:mad:

It's short for gypsy, supposedly. All the sitcoms from that time had gypsy episodes, and I hated them--not due to being "woke"--they were all just lousy episodes.

Now, I think I'll look for a few Dr. Seuss books, a Mr. Potato Head, some Aunt Jemima syrup, and Uncle Ben's rice.

My godmother would visit a couple of times a year and used the word "davenport," which was about the only time I would hear it.

When i was growing up, my parents, uncle, and grandmother all used "ice box" frequently. "Gyp" or "gypped" was not uncommon either. I was probably high school age by the time I realized its origin...!

When it came to homework, my mom referred to it with a Greek word that translates to "reading." Her spoken English to this day remains very weak (turns 88 this year).

Regarding the Dr. Seuss books, it's ironic that some of the most obscure titles are now in the spotlight -- if the sleeping dog had been left alone, there would be no bite right now. I'm beginning to suspect it's a publicity stunt designed to increase sales on the many remaining titles.

Thanks for the replies.

Here's where we are IF you allow it:

https://comicallyincorrect.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/02-dr-suess-dt-1080-1050x750.jpg

For me, it's a lucky thing these "watchdogs" don't watch old cartoons.

I can see Uncle Charley or Bub saying Toots, Dame and Mack. I'm almost certain they did but not 100 percent. I really need to start up watching the old DVD's of this show again. It's been years since I have.

Three good ones! I know I've heard Charley say dame and Mack. Toots, I don't recall that.

When Charley gets a wrong number, shortly after the family arrives in California, he angrily addresses the caller as "Jack." I'll have to keep listening to see how often he uses "Mack" as well.

This is from another old sitcom--ever heard of the word "discommode?"

Another one -- feeling "logey." (not sure of the spelling--the usage was feeling bad or ill, maybe.) (pronounced with a long o with a hard g)

Charley: "jasper" -- in his slang usage, refers to a simpleton or uneducated guy, a rustic.

(There's now an urban meaning of Jasper that refers to the male anatomy...!)

Charley: "tomatoes" referring to women. (!)

OT but there's a tootie on a 1980s sitcom.

Ernie: "croaked" meaning died

I think Dodie says croak on occasion, as well.

I always got a kick of Chip saying the word Clunky as in Doreen's a clunky girl.

I always got a kick of Chip saying the word Clunky as in Doreen's a clunky girl.

Doreen Peters is actually a shape-shifting car, hence the proposed M3S spinoff “My Young Lady Stalker The Car” :)

I still use the word gyp and have never and still don't see a thing wrong with it.


I remember my Adad would ask someone if they had "jewed them down" if they were making a financial transaction. That implied that a jew would not pay your asking price but only a lower price.

That was mighty white of him. At least your Dad wasn't *****rdly when choosing words to malign people.;)

I've been censored! But as usual censorship was done out of ignorance not knowing the definition of the word blanked out it is not a naughty word.

That was mighty white of him. At least your Dad wasn't *****rdly when choosing words to malign people.;)

Na, my Adad was straight-up racist as F. He was a preacher man to boot. Not a day went by when he did not mention mexicans this or that.

One time my dad was buying a watch and tried to negotiate a lower price. The salesman asked my dad if he was Jewish. When my dad replied "no," the salesman said "You're worse than a Jew!"

I've heard "Jew somebody down" a lot in my lifetime. My Three Sons rarely went ethnic, with the notable exception of Season 7's "Help the Gypsies Are Coming! With that ep along with "Ernie and the O'Grady" (also S7), it's Charley to some extent being played up as prejudiced.