Prohibition Era Words

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Date:

Instructions: Test your knowledge of the secret language used during America's Prohibition (1920-1933)

1.
During Prohibition, what was a 'blind pig'?
A
A type of moonshine
B
A police informant
C
An illegal drinking establishment
D
A drunk person
2.
What was a 'bootlegger' during Prohibition?
A
A shoe repairman
B
A dance instructor
C
A smuggler of boots
D
Someone who illegally made or sold alcohol
3.
In Prohibition slang, what was 'bathtub gin'?
A
A brand of soap
B
Water with juniper berries
C
Homemade gin often mixed in a bathtub
D
A cleaning solution
4.
What was a 'rum runner' during Prohibition?
A
A type of cocktail
B
A fast horse
C
An athlete who drank rum
D
A person who smuggled alcohol, often by boat
5.
In Prohibition language, what was 'giggle water'?
A
A children's toy
B
Alcoholic beverages
C
A type of medicine
D
Carbonated water
6.
What did 'dry' mean in the context of Prohibition?
A
Dehydrated
B
Thirsty
C
Supporting or enforcing the ban on alcohol
D
Boring
7.
During Prohibition, what was a 'still'?
A
A quiet person
B
A photograph
C
A type of painting
D
An apparatus for distilling alcohol
8.
What was a 'juice joint' during Prohibition?
A
An illegal bar or club
B
A gym
C
A fruit stand
D
An electric power station
9.
In Prohibition slang, what did 'on the wagon' mean?
A
Traveling west
B
Abstaining from alcohol
C
Working hard
D
Being arrested
10.
What was 'moonshine' during Prohibition?
A
Illegally distilled liquor
B
A lantern
C
A romantic evening
D
A type of dance
11.
During Prohibition, what was a 'hip flask'?
A
A dance move
B
A type of injury
C
A small concealed container for carrying alcohol
D
A fashion accessory
12.
What did 'wet' mean in Prohibition-era politics?
A
Emotional
B
Opposing Prohibition and favoring legal alcohol
C
Rainy weather
D
Inexperienced
13.
In Prohibition slang, what was 'coffin varnish'?
A
Cheap, dangerous homemade liquor
B
Embalming fluid
C
Dark-colored paint
D
Furniture polish
14.
What were 'Izzy and Moe' famous for during Prohibition?
A
Writing anti-Prohibition songs
B
Being the most successful Prohibition enforcement agents
C
Brewing moonshine
D
Running speakeasies
15.
During Prohibition, what was a 'needle beer'?
A
A medicinal tonic
B
A very cold beverage
C
A drink for diabetics
D
Near-beer injected with alcohol to increase its potency

Answer Key

Question 1

C. An illegal drinking establishment

Question 2

D. Someone who illegally made or sold alcohol

Question 3

C. Homemade gin often mixed in a bathtub

Question 4

D. A person who smuggled alcohol, often by boat

Question 5

B. Alcoholic beverages

Question 6

C. Supporting or enforcing the ban on alcohol

Question 7

D. An apparatus for distilling alcohol

Question 8

A. An illegal bar or club

Question 9

B. Abstaining from alcohol

Question 10

A. Illegally distilled liquor

Question 11

C. A small concealed container for carrying alcohol

Question 12

B. Opposing Prohibition and favoring legal alcohol

Question 13

A. Cheap, dangerous homemade liquor

Question 14

B. Being the most successful Prohibition enforcement agents

Question 15

D. Near-beer injected with alcohol to increase its potency

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