Going through an October 1957 edition of Careta, I found an article on the following slang of the era (some of which I’ve added photos to).
Transport
- Coca-cola (cheap collective taxis)
- Fominhas (mini buses)
- Caraduras (cheap trolleys)
- Taiobas (trolleys with different fares)
- Calhambeque (old car)
- Rabo de Peixe (Cadillac)
- Tintureiro (police wagon for the imprisoned)
- Rabeção (hearse)
- Mãe carinhosa (ambulance)
- Vaca leiteira (milk truck)
- Andorinha (moving truck)
- Filhos de Maria (blue & white buses)
- Camões (an allusion to the Portuguese poet who was blind in one eye)
- Gostosões (modern and smooth)
- Sinfonia inacabado (‘without a head’)
- Papa-filas
Buildings
- Bola de Noiva (Edifício Mayapan on Av. Almirante Barroso, 91)
- Balança mas não cai ( apartment complex on Av. Presidente Vargas, 2007)
- Tem Nêgo Bêbo Aí (Edifício Marquês de Herval on Av. Rio Branco, 185)
- Gaiola de Ouro (Câmara Municipal at Praça Floriano)
Professions
- Marmiteiro (laborer)
- Maria Condelária (government official)
- Barnabé (humble servant)
- Parasita (retired but still able to work)
- Tubarão (successful business man)
- Bôas Vidas (city councilor)
- Pais da Pátria (members of parliament)
- Chefão / Manda-Chuva (President)
- Gafanhotas (military)
- Panela de Pressão (night guard)
- Cardial (special police)
- Meganha (military police)
- Cosme e Damião (MPs in pairs)
- Olheiro (car attendent)
- Papa-defunto (funeral agent)
Currency
- Getulinho (‘tostão’)
- Filipeta / Japonesa (1 cruzeiro)
- Cachorro (5 cruzeiros, according to bet-takers)
- Coelho (10 cruzeiros, for bet-takers)
- Perú (20 cruzeiros…)
- Galo (50 cruzeiros…)
- Vaca (100 cruzeiros…)
- Abobrinas (modern bills worth 1,000 cruzeiros)
Etc
- Poeira (cheap movie)
- Mata-ratos (cigarette)
- Pasquim (newspaper w/o asking price)
- Brotinho (pretty girl)
- Balzaqueana (older woman)
- Buxo (ugly woman)
- Panamás (big scandals)
- Mamata (easy job)
- Pistolão (the ease of getting a Mamata)
