bobbysoxers
Sinatra-era teen fans
Bobbysoxers were teenage girls in the 1940s known for their enthusiasm for popular music and movie stars—the original screaming fans.
The name comes from the ankle-length socks they wore rolled down.
Frank Sinatra's early concerts famously drew crowds of shrieking bobbysoxers.
The term now evokes that era's youth culture.
- swooningLosing consciousness briefly
- autographsHandwritten celebrity names
- screamingLoud, shrill vocalizing
- fan clubsOrganizations for enthusiasts
heartthrobs · crooners · matinee idols · fan mail · pinups · posters · scrapbooks · radio shows
Oxfords with contrasting center panel
- ankle socksHosiery stopping at leg joint
- poodle skirtsFull skirts with appliquéd dogs
- circle skirtsGarments cut as full rounds
- penny loafersSlip-ons with decorative strap slots
cardigans · crinoline · pedal pushers · hair ribbons · charm bracelets · ponytails · pleated skirts · kerchiefs
Energetic swing-era partner dance
- Lindy HopSwing dance from Harlem
- swing dancingUpbeat partnered jazz movement
- sock hopInformal school dance
- boogie-woogieDriving bass, freewheeling treble
jive · big band · Glenn Miller · Benny Goodman · dancehalls · ballrooms · cutting a rug · dance floors
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- swing era1930s-40s jazz dominance
- postwarAfter hostilities end
- jukeboxesCoin-operated music players
malt shops · soda fountains · drive-ins · phonographs · big bands · sock hops · dance halls · radio programs
People aged thirteen to nineteen
- adolescentsYouth approaching maturity
- schoolgirlsFemale students at school
- high schoolersSecondary education pupils
- coming-of-ageYouth becoming adulthood
crushes · rebellion · slang · cliques · popularity · dating · going steady · puppy love
Frank Sinatra
- swooningLosing consciousness briefly
- autographsHandwritten celebrity names
- screamingLoud, shrill vocalizing
fan clubs · heartthrobs · crooners · matinee idols · fan mail · pinups · posters · scrapbooks · radio shows · Bing Crosby
saddle shoes
Oxfords with contrasting center panel
- ankle socksHosiery stopping at leg joint
- poodle skirtsFull skirts with appliquéd dogs
- circle skirtsGarments cut as full rounds
penny loafers · cardigans · crinoline · pedal pushers · hair ribbons · charm bracelets · ponytails · pleated skirts · kerchiefs · knee socks
jitterbug
Energetic swing-era partner dance
- Lindy HopSwing dance from Harlem
- swing dancingUpbeat partnered jazz movement
- sock hopInformal school dance
boogie-woogie · jive · big band · Glenn Miller · Benny Goodman · dancehalls · ballrooms · cutting a rug · dance floors
1940s
Fourth decade, twentieth century
- World War IISecond global military conflict
- swing era1930s-40s jazz dominance
- postwarAfter hostilities end
jukeboxes · malt shops · soda fountains · drive-ins · phonographs · big bands · sock hops · dance halls · radio programs · home front
teenagers
People aged thirteen to nineteen
- adolescentsYouth approaching maturity
- schoolgirlsFemale students at school
- high schoolersSecondary education pupils
coming-of-age · crushes · rebellion · slang · cliques · popularity · dating · going steady · puppy love · teen magazines
bobbysoxersBeatlemaniacs
Obsessive band followers
millennials · Swifties · flappers · digital natives · Deadheads
bobbysoxersadults
Fully mature individuals
grown-ups · sophisticates · senior citizens · matrons · elders
bobbysoxerssquares
Four-sided equal figures
critics · cynics · highbrows · stuffed shirts · curmudgeons