What is a “Flit” in the 1950s? A Historical Perspective
Understanding the past allows us to navigate the present and shape the future. It offers us invaluable insight into how societal behaviors and language evolve over time. One such term, “flit,” which was commonly used in the 1950s, provides a window into the complex social fabric of mid-20th century Britain. A term often associated with movement, change, and sometimes evasion, “flit” encapsulates the nuances of that era—a time marked by both rapid social transformation and post-war recovery. To fully appreciate its meaning in the 1950s, it’s important to explore its historical context, as well as the cultural, economic, and political factors that shaped its usage.
Contextualizing the “Flit” of the 1950s
The 1950s: A Decade of Recovery and Social Change
The 1950s were a pivotal decade for many Western nations, including the UK. Following the devastation of World War II, there was a national drive for recovery and rebuilding. The British economy, although still scarred by wartime austerity, was beginning to grow again. However, this period of recovery was also one of significant social change—new cultural attitudes, technological advancements, and shifts in traditional values.
In Britain, the 1950s were marked by a series of transformations, from the rise of the youth culture to the changing role of women in society. This was also a period when terms like “flit” began to take on new meanings. Historically, the word had simply meant a light, swift movement. However, during the 1950s, it became associated with something more specific: the movement of people, particularly in the context of housing and migration.
The Meaning of “Flit” in the 1950s
In the 1950s, “flit” was used colloquially to describe the act of moving quickly from one place to another, often implying a sense of evasion or temporary residence. It was commonly applied to describe the practice of people moving from one house to another, frequently without the formality or permanence that one might expect from a more traditional move. This could be seen in both the literal sense—moving houses—and in the metaphorical sense, as people were often flitting between different social classes, lifestyles, or urban spaces.
For instance, many working-class families in post-war Britain found themselves in temporary housing as the government struggled to provide adequate long-term accommodation. The rapid turnover of people in these homes, many of whom were transient due to economic conditions, led to the term “flit” taking on a more specific connotation. It described not just movement, but a sense of impermanence or instability.
The Social and Economic Implications of “Flitting”
Housing Crisis and Economic Struggles
One of the key factors contributing to the use of the word “flit” during the 1950s was the acute housing shortage in post-war Britain. The UK faced a severe crisis in housing after the war, as many homes had been damaged during bombing raids and wartime neglect. In response, the government launched an ambitious program of reconstruction and social housing, but progress was slow. In the meantime, many working-class families had to settle for temporary accommodations, often in poorly built or overcrowded housing estates.
As historian David Kynaston writes, “The 1950s saw a Britain grappling with both a housing crisis and a collective sense of impermanence. People didn’t just move houses; they ‘flitted’ between temporary solutions in a constant state of uncertainty” (Kynaston, Modernity and Housing in Post-War Britain). This practice of flitting between homes, driven by a lack of affordable housing, is emblematic of the economic struggles of the time. The word itself became a marker of socio-economic hardship, reflecting the way the post-war working class had to navigate a landscape where stability was often elusive.
Migration and the Changing Class Structure
The 1950s also witnessed significant migration patterns within Britain. People were increasingly moving from rural areas to cities in search of better job opportunities, particularly as the country shifted towards a more industrialized economy. This urban migration often involved flitting from one rental property to another, sometimes because of job relocations or the search for better living conditions.
The concept of “flitting” was also associated with social mobility. Many people, particularly from working-class backgrounds, sought to improve their living conditions by moving to more affluent areas or seeking jobs in new industries. In the wake of the war, social mobility was encouraged, and for many, it meant moving quickly from one space or class to another in search of upward mobility. The word “flit” thus became tied to the socio-economic aspirations of the time—an expression of striving for better opportunities, even if it came with the uncertainty and insecurity of transient living.
Flit and the Cultural Shifts of the 1950s
The Youth Culture and Subversion of Tradition
The 1950s were also a decade of cultural change, marked by the rise of youth culture, particularly in the UK. Teenagers in Britain began to form their own subcultures, and terms like “flit” were sometimes used to describe the restlessness of youth, particularly those who rejected traditional norms. The term, when applied to young people, often conveyed a sense of rebellion and a refusal to conform to established expectations.
Young people in the 1950s, often in the form of the “Teddy Boys” or the emerging “Mods” and “Rockers,” began to flit between different social spaces—nightclubs, parks, and urban centers—rejecting the rigid structures that defined their parents’ generation. In this context, “flit” encapsulated not just physical movement but also a psychological distancing from older social frameworks. The term reflected a generational shift, where youth were constantly moving, searching for new experiences and rejecting the stability of their parents’ more traditional lifestyles.
Women and Changing Roles
The role of women in society was also undergoing transformation during the 1950s. After the war, many women had been encouraged to take on roles in the workforce, but by the end of the decade, there was a push to return women to the home as part of the idealized post-war family unit. Despite this, many women “flitted” between different roles as they navigated the shifting expectations of society.
For women, flitting between jobs, social roles, or even households became a metaphor for the tension between traditional expectations and the changing realities of women’s independence. Historian Angela McRobbie notes, “The notion of ‘flitting’ carried with it both the possibility of freedom and the burden of uncertainty. Women in the 1950s often flitted between different societal roles, trying to find their place in a world that demanded both stability and change” (McRobbie, Gender and the British Cultural Landscape in the 1950s).
The Legacy of the 1950s “Flit”
Flit in Modern Usage
Today, the word “flit” may not carry the same weight or connotation it did in the 1950s, but its historical significance is still present. In modern British English, “flit” can describe a light, quick movement, but the deeper meanings related to impermanence, uncertainty, and migration have largely faded. However, it’s interesting to consider how the “flit” of the 1950s, with its associations of evasion, movement, and social change, mirrors today’s fast-paced world of transience, from the gig economy to the global movement of people.
Reflections on Mobility and Stability
As we look back at the 1950s and the cultural significance of “flitting,” we are reminded of how far we’ve come, but also how much remains the same. Today, many people still face the same uncertainty and impermanence in their housing situations, jobs, and social mobility. The language may have evolved, but the economic and social challenges of transition, migration, and instability persist.
Conclusion: The Continuing Relevance of the “Flit”
The term “flit” in the 1950s offers a lens through which to explore the social, cultural, and economic upheavals of post-war Britain. Whether it was the constant movement of families in search of stable housing, the youth rejecting traditional norms, or women navigating shifting roles, “flitting” became a metaphor for the restless pursuit of something better, despite the uncertainties it entailed. Understanding this term in its historical context helps us reflect on the ongoing challenges of mobility, stability, and change in today’s society. What does it mean to be in constant motion, and how does that shape our understanding of success, identity, and belonging? The questions raised by the 1950s’ use of “flit” are still relevant today, inviting us to consider the balance between movement and permanence in our own lives.