The Portland daily press., 1870-01-10
,rsa I.ss4. asss af slang.

Eetse Of the leading writer's OF the age ha's
lately turned their attention to the study VI
dialects. Victor Hugo has treated enn"o
lively that of the Paris streets, James russell
Lowell In his Biolow Papers that OF New
E,oland while Tennyson in his late poems
has given rs some specimens of the Yorkshire
y,oto;s There is difference between slang
and dialect, to be sure, but they are relatives,
and if we may judge from the following ac-
count of the phraseolgy employed in the oil
regions those who are curious in such things
could not do better than visit the place.
Among later choice additions to village
nomenclature come Red Hot, Allemagooze-
lum City and Dry Up-each the cognomen of
business centre and oil-prodpcing district.
-" Jerusalem -Four Corners is but short
distance from Red Hot while Bull, Cow and
Calf Runs follow each other in playful bovine
eccentricity.
From 'Tidloute to Scrubgrass' is eouiya-
lent to the term from Dan to Beersheba. of
sacred history. the former marking the boun-
diaries OF the producing districts on the ALE
gany river.
kabylon,' like its namesake of old, was
indeed city of the fallen; like it, also, met
with speedy destruction from the inha0"
ants thereof.
Enterprise thriyes beneath fts name anu
the industry of the residents-wuiio iedSals-
Vile has NOT nroveu feeting pleasure to orig
inal holders OF land and property.
ain the christening OF wells, and petroleum
organizations, the oil operator is not deficient.
Among the iormer-the Pool, the Twins
Gusher-Buster-C oquette-Pocket- Liner
and Flow Easy, are wellknown in the annals
of oily history; while the Niagara, Ocean.
Fountain and Deluse Petroleum Companies
bear an equally important part IN the history
of the producing districts
Inc original inhabitant clings fondly to-
the phrases Ut his forefathers, and the Buck
Wneat no sooner sees symptoms of grease
spot on his farm, than he enters the ring, and
II ne can raise the maps the load of flukin
hitting indicates removal of household
enects and furniture to America or other
part OF the country outside OF oildom.
The Pennsylvania does not saw wood,
put 'Ducks' 1t, and shovel of eastern manu-
factue becomes spade by transition to this
section. He 'disremembers' some things
and forgot to think Of others.
where have you been at" indicates de-
sire TO know the previous whereabouts of the
individual questioned, and ito return back
nome means to take q fresh start for the pa
tsrnal mansion.
business is never lvely-it is sbooming.'
and the extremes of the well. digger's luck are
expressed in the terms: Not worth a smell
and big thing
lhe operator does not drill well-he
puts it down or kicks it down'-and if in the
test there is grease enough to put out bed
bugs eye he prosecutes his developments
with renewed vigor. The moment well
produces oil in paying quantities its sex is es-
tablished and she becomes the pet of the
owner; but without the oil it dwindles to a
neutIe and non-paying gender as 'dryhole.'
The workman on well does not work by
the hour, or relef-but goes on tower or
stands his trick'-with the regularity of
picket guard. His engine house is she
bang and his boarding. house known only as
the mutton milP or hash faactory'-while
the gin milf denotes the spot where he takes
bis 'benzine,' 'hsts his poison takes his
bowel rejuveuator,' simbibes his nitro-glycer-
me- or INDUCES in oil Creek obliviator,' all
synonymous with taking drink.
Like his Wall street brother, the gambler
In crude, sells Short Corners becomes a
outl or bear, as occasion requires, and In
ready-made authorizations rivals the Gold
Room operator.
The greeser produces the oil, and the
shark speculates in the same.
Government bonds are known assBenning-
hoii's Maps throughout the region. Pugna-
cous individuals do not fight but snatch each
other bald headed, or spills bis adversary's
nose all over his face, or 'curries him down
with six shooter The individual who is
correct in his views is mighty right
The man who has made fortune is never
rich, bur he has dead loads of stamps or
'swads' of it, and he does not carry a pocket
book, but socks it away in his stocking leg!'
The Spectator does not make bargain
with another, he strikes him. for SO me stated
amount, or 'blisters' him.
This catalogue might be prolonged indef-
nltely. Many OF the most original have es-
capped notice; but enough are given to estab-
ilsh the oil country as rival dispensatory of
English distortions, against the south and
western frontiers that have long since borne
an unenviable reputation in that line"