AMERICAN MADE EASY

Evening Star, Issue 19001, 24 July 1925, Page 1

AMERICAN MADE EASY

AN AMUSING BOOK ON TRANSATLANTIC SLANG “A fallacy exists that the natives of America and England speak a. common language. The truth is that modern speech in both countries is vitalised by slang, which varies geographically, periodically, < progressively.” With this introduction, “Chadets,” tlio author of ‘Spoken in Jest,’ in some wity pages, which must not ho taken too seriously, proceeds to compare not only tho slang oi the two countries, hut the difference in the terminology of their social lives. SHOPPING. Hero are some explanatory notes that will help the bewildered Englishman on his first shopping expedition in America,:— “Shop” (E) is “Store” (A). A dry goods store (A) is u draper’s shop (E). In England “Drugs” mean “Dope” (A). Trie Englishman in America is horrified to find “ Drugs ” advertised at every street corner. Later he discovers that a drug store (A) is a chemist’s shop (E), whore they supply everything from breakfast to motor accessories. Drugs are a side line.

And hero is a, word about servants :

■ The “Servant Problem” is acute in both countries. In America the servant is his master’s equal; in England the servant is boss.

On tho subject of meals there is this information :

The American seldom eats more than three meals a day. Ho takes these at his convenience.

Luncheon (A) is lunch (E). Lunch (A) is snack (E) —a bile any time, usually late at night. For the information of the railway traveller:— Extreme reserve characterises tho Englishman. He will only confide the intimate details of his life after it considerable period—at least half an hour.

Without delay nr provocation, the American will tell you everything about himself —everything that does not matter—to him.

Tho following is open to grave question, at any rate so far as it applies to this country ;—■ In America, tho addition of tho word “ all ”to the personal pronoun, as in “ we-all ” denotes Southern birth and ancient lineage. In England the casual mention of “ My people ” has a similar effect. Certain words have a totally different meaning in America : A “cunning” American girl is winning. A cunning English girl is tricky. An English Hat is an American apartment. Rut when an Englishmen refers to a man-as a “flat” he means a “boob” (A). Gas (A) is petrol (E). Gas (E) is hot air (A). (Lim (A) is chewing gum (E). Gum (E) is mucilage or paste (A). Elevator (A) is life (E). Elevator (E) is lift for slices (A). A GLOSSARY. The author does not fully take into account tho widespread use of American slang in this country, owing to the influence, of the film and the American novel. Some, of the items in his glossary arc popular hero:—

American. English. (lan (to) Sack (to) Captain Assistant head waiter Cookie Cake Denatured alcohol Methylated spirits Double cross (to) Do tlio dirty (to) Dumb-bell Stick Fliv Wash-out Four-flusher Bluffer Fresh Cheeky Grip Bag Grouch (to) Grouse (to) Hike (to) Tramp (to) Hunch Inspiration Nick Pinch (to) Piker Near sport Prince Corker Quitter Bad sport Rough neck Tough Side Walk Pavement Tight wad Scot • According to the author the English equivalent to “ lounge lizard ’’ is “woozler.” But why use the word “ woozler ” in this country?—‘John o’ London’s.’