Life in 1947

Telephones

In the 1940s, only about 30% of rural households had telephone service. It was much more prevalent in suburban and urban communities, however. The details of dialing a number aren't important, but what is important is that for most phones, the only way to actually call anybody was to talk with an operator first. Phones didn't have their own dial device. All long distance calls had to be handled manually by an operator. By 1947, area codes were only just starting to come into service.

Telegrams

If you had an urgent message to send, a telegram was the best way to do it. You could stop by the local Western Union, or if one wasn't nearby, call one, and have your message sent over telegraph lines. By 1945, Western Union was replacing its poles and wires with microwave transmissions.

Radio

Most radio shows were performed live. NBC and CBS even banned pre-recorded shows altogether. This only started to change in 1947 with the advent of magnetic tape reels, although the practice of using "canned" shows wasn't prevalent until 1950. Radio wasn't just music, but also variety shows, comedies, dramas, adventures, quiz shows, and news. Radio was essentially the television of today.

Television

There were all of three networks available for viewing: ABC, DuMont, and NBC. (CBS didn't start broadcasting television until 1948). Only one in ten households owned a television.

The most common thing to see on a television was the test pattern. Most stations didn't air any shows until late afternoon.

Rodeos

The popularity of rodeos was on the rise in the 1920s, and continued to increase into the 1940s with the increasing popular of things associated with the American West. It began to grow into a professional sport by the 1940s.

Some of the catchy phrases of the 1940's are still in use today. Others have faded into obscurity and aren't heard any more. The ones that are familiar to modern day people aren't defined, unless their meaning has changed over the years.

Able Grable - a cute girl

active duty - sexually promiscuous young man

alligator - a swing fan or dancer

ameche - to telephone

b.y.t. - bright young thing

barouche - jalopy

brainchild

bunny - to chat

cast an eyeball - to look around

city slicker

corny

creep

dig

dilly - cute girl

doll dizzy - girl crazy

drooly - cute guy

eager beaver

Fifth Avenue - high class

frolic pad - night club

fuddy duddy

gobbledygook

gone with the wind - to run off (with the money)

grandstand

grotty - new yet useless

hi-de-ho - hello

in cahoots with

kicks - shoes

lettuce - money

old hat

pass the buck

pennies from heaven

share crop - sexually promiscuous young woman

smooth

togged to the bricks - wearing the best clothing

void coupon - unattractive girl