Funny old-fashioned compliments we should bring back -

Languages change constantly, and there's nowhere that's more apparent than looking at popular slang from the past. While some words and phrases endure from generation to generation, plenty of material goes forgotten. These include some cute and kooky compliments, which would all land you in good favor with those on the receiving end.

Instead of letting these compliments collect dust in old dictionaries, let's bring them back the next time you want to compliment someone. Ready? Click on for inspiration! 

© Shutterstock

"Peerless paramour" -

Originating in the Middle Ages, to say someone is your "peerless paramour" is to say they have your unbeatable affection.

© Shutterstock

"Truepenny" -

In the Victorian era, honesty and integrity were especially highly admirable traits. Telling someone they were a "truepenny" was a testament to their strong character.

© Shutterstock

"Bawcock" -

A term used to describe a gentleman of character and integrity, it's credited to the one and only William Shakespeare.

© Shutterstock

"Wag" -

After your funniest friend earns a particularly big laugh, compliment them as the group’s beloved wag.

© Shutterstock

"Your virtues have so strangely taken up my thoughts" -

Want to compliment your significant other? Then use this phrase from 'The New Academy of Compliments,' a dating handbook published in 1799.

© Shutterstock

"You’re butter upon bacon" -

Apparently Victorians loved butter and bacon, because this was the ultimate compliment back then!

© Shutterstock

"They're cooking with helium" -

Back when the jitterbug, swing, and the Lindy Hop were all the rage, this was how you complimented someone's dancing!

© Shutterstock

"Takes the egg" -

If you wanted to tell someone in the 1880s that something was the best, you’d tell them it "takes the egg." For example, "Your hat takes the egg."

© Shutterstock

"Flutter bum" -

Even though it doesn't sound that way, this 1950s slang means someone's particularly handsome!

© Shutterstock

"Bricky" -

In the late 1800s, "bricky" meant someone was strong, brave, and fearless, just like a brick, apparently.

© Shutterstock

"You’ve got it made in the shade" -

While throwing shade today is slang for subtly insulting someone, back in the '50s shade was a good thing. Telling someone they had it "made in the shade" meant they’d achieved a really nice life.

© Shutterstock

"Swell bird" -

This 1940s compliment meant that you were calling a woman amazing. "She's a swell bird!"

© Shutterstock

"Butter and egg fly" -

This 1930s compliment was a generic term for an attractive woman, especially one with a certain allure and flirtatiousness.

© Shutterstock

"Cute as a bug’s ear" -

Originating in the 1930s, this compliment represents a sweet, miniature sort of cuteness.

© Shutterstock

"I’m dizzy with that dame" -

A man in the 1920s proclaiming he was dizzy meant he was head-over-heels in love with a dame, or classy woman.

© Shutterstock

"Follow-me-lads" -

"Follow-me-lads" was a 1800s term for the curls that lay over a lady's shoulders. One could compliment a woman by saying, "Your follow-me-lads look great!"

© Shutterstock

"Minikin" -

This 1800s compliment meant someone or something was tiny and cute, much like the Japanese slang word kawaii today.

© Shutterstock

"Oyster" -

Calling someone an "oyster" in the 1800s meant they were an excellent person of amazing quality.

© Shutterstock

"Saucebox" -

If someone is witty and sassy, then they're definitely a saucebox. And yes, it's another compliment from the 1800s.

© Shutterstock

"Wonder-wench" -

While it might sound a bit crass, calling someone a "wonder-wench" actually means "sweetheart."

© Shutterstock

"Buck" -

Dating back to Edwardian England, a "buck" was a fancily-dressed person, usually a man. "What a buck!"

© Shutterstock

"Pippin" -

In Edwardian England, a "pippin" was a good person with high morals.

© Shutterstock

"Gorger" -

Originally a class statement, this compliment from the 1800s meant a gentleman or somebody of high station was well-dressed.

© Shutterstock

"The jammiest bits of jam" -

Sounds like how you'd compliment a piece of toast, but this old-school phrase means "perfect young females." Maybe we can leave this one in the past...

© Shutterstock

"A gas" -

In the 1970s, calling someone or something "a gas" meant it/they was/were light and a lot of fun!

© Shutterstock

"Outta sight" -

In the '60s, saying anything was "outta sight" meant that it was amazing. For example, "That show was outta sight!"

© Shutterstock

"The bee’s knees" -

Telling someone they're "the bee's knees" means they're really cute. This sweet compliment became popular in the 1920s.

© Shutterstock

"Dreamboat" -

Back in the 1950s, calling someone a "dreamboat" meant you were calling them beautiful or hunky.

© Shutterstock

"Killer" -

Saying something is "killer" is definitely a compliment even today. It comes from the 1940s-era slang for fantastic or amazing.

Sources: (Bustle) (Mental Floss) (Reader's Digest)

See also: The nicest compliments you can give someone

© Shutterstock