AMERICAN SLANG.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 263, 14 November 1910, Page 3

AMERICAN SLANG.

SOME NEW PHRASES

Several years ago s^when an American wished to indicate to anyone that his presence was ; not desired, he said "Twenty -^ three." By and by "twenty-three" went. out. of fashion j and its place; was.ctaken by -"Skiddoo," carrying the ; same meaning. After a while "Sk^ddoo" departed, and the present phrase is "Beat it." A contest now, is proceeding for future popularity between "Beat it" and "Jump on a pickle and be a wart." "Bear it" has an advantage in being simpler, but there is a sourness and unique insult about commanding a person to "Jump on a 'pickle arid be a wart" which may bring victory. ' • , If an American, is arguing with someone, it is not customary to disagree politely with the adversary. Correct usage demands the interposition of a. little humor, and so the person sure of his ground says to the other, "You're up in the air—open your parachute," or "Get out of the gutter and let the water pass," or "Tell it to the King of Denmark," a phrase which came into use after the disappearance of Dr.. Cook. Some time ago, being an American, and wishing to express, your admiration for your best girl, you would have said to her, "You're the only pebble on the beach." A little later, desiring to keep up with the changing times, you .would have informed her that she, was "a peach on the top of the basket. *' Now, the use of either phrase would prove you to be a "back number." In these days, you say: "Oh, you kid," which is the acme of affectionate greeting, spoken with a rising inflection t and with "kid" drawn out to two syllables— "Ki-id." « A motor car, ;in American discourse, is a "bubble waggon," and a wild dash in a "bubble waggon,", through city or country, while out for a good,time, is a "joy ride." So,; an American motorist, inviting a young lady to take a, ride, and wishing to inject a little humor in his invitation, say.s—"Oh, you kid, hop into the bubble waggon, arid let's go for a joy ride." To "rush the growler" is to take a pitcher or a pail to a public-hou.se for beer for home consumption. People "rushing the growler" during forbidden ■ hours, • whM the publichouses legally are supposed to I c closed, are suspicious of chance acquaintances in the street. If, therefore, .you, a stranger in the city, politely stop one "rushing the growler" and; ask a civil question, his reply:.will'-be a furtive look and a muttered <fUp an alley," and he will pass on rapidly. "Up an alley" means he doesn't want to talk with strangers, and is an' invitation to yen to "jump on a pickle and be a wart."

A person who is argumentative, and whose conversational powers are used combatively, is said to "chew the rag.'' One who while ''chewing the rag" works himself into a passion, is "hot under the collar," while if his anger is caused by the remarks of someone else, the second person has "got his goat." •