THE "BOSS."

NZ Truth, Issue 570, 20 May 1916, Page 1

THE "BOSS."

The "boss" who has been routed m so many of the American ©lections, is a peculiarly American Institution; but his namo Is simply the Dutch "baas,** and Eartletfs "Dictionary of Americanisms" records that the proper pro* nunciation o£ the "o" In "boss" is UKo that of Lh« "a" in "all." Originally In Dutch "bass" seems to have meant uncle, cousin, or kinsman m general Then, bocauso the roaster of a house might be regarded as the principal fcinaman of its inmates, the word came to bo used of him; from which to meaning tho master or foreman of workmen or an authority of any kind the transition ia simple, "De vrouw Is de baas" is a Dutch domestic proverb that goes straight into American ■— "the wtfo is the boss." "Boss." curiously, has another slang meaning m America; on the prairies it meant a buffalo— Latin "bos," no doubt