noun General Slang

Banana Oil

/bəˈnæn.ə ˌɔɪl/ · noun · slang

Jazz Age for nonsense and slick flattery, popularized by a hit comic strip.

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Definitions

1

Smooth, greasy persuasion meant to butter someone up.

“He talked his way out of the ticket with pure banana oil.”
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2

An exclamation rejecting something as rubbish, used like 'baloney!' or 'nonsense!'

“Banana oil! That story doesn't add up at all.”
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3

Insincere talk, flattery, or outright nonsense; baloney.

“Save the banana oil, I know you forgot my birthday.”
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Banana Oil In A Sentence

Quit spreading the banana oil and tell me the truth.
Her excuse was nothing but banana oil.
He greased the boss with a little banana oil before asking for a raise.

Origin & Usage

1920s American slang, hugely popularized by cartoonist Milt Gross, whose 1924 comic strip 'Banana Oil!' fixed the phrase in the public ear. It draws on the real chemical banana oil (a solvent), used metaphorically for slippery nonsense.

Tags #1920s#flapper#jazz-age#vintage#nonsense#insult

People Also Ask

What does banana oil mean?

It means nonsense or slick flattery, similar to 'baloney' or 'malarkey'.

Where did banana oil come from?

It was 1920s slang made famous by Milt Gross's 1924 comic strip 'Banana Oil!', echoing the real solvent of the same name.

Is banana oil an insult?

It is dismissive but light. Calling someone's words banana oil mocks them as empty, not vicious.

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