Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1882-04-19
Origin OF Slang.

and has been for many years toward
quaint and expressive slang for the
terse expression of thought. A few
years ago it was popularity supposed
that only the lower classes Of society
INDUCED in this form Of expression,
but it.seems at present to prevade all
grades, and the young lady Of Murray
Hill will talk of tips at Jerome Park
in most nonchalant way and suggest
that you take tumble" or "give
us a rest" with the most ingram of
Gotham's coarser workings.
Tracing these popular slang phrases
to their origin constitutes an interest
ing study and often leads the explorer
into the deepest depths of literature.
Doubtless thousands of persons have
heard the expression, "What will Mrs.
Grundy say ?" yet.not one in thousand
is aware that it is found in the first
scene of Morton's favorite comedy,
"Speed the Plow." "Too thin" is often
heard when hearer wishes TO express
disbelief in story, and it may be
found in "Peregrine Pickle" which
was published in London in It'll
The expression is also to be found in
Shakespeare's Henry VIII, scene one
of five acts. Gall cry and no WOO" ="
very common slang expression, traced
directly to canto one, part one of But
ler's "Hudibras." The original reads !;
"Or shear swine, all cry and no
WOOL"
Another very often heard expression,
"What are you giving me?' indica-
tive of disbelief, no less source
than the Bible is responsible. 1t may
be found in the thirty-eight chapter Of
Genesis"
But slightly twisting the words, Gin
peius ruere," in that good old Latin
author, Virgil, we arrive at the saying,
"To 90 to the bad" "He's brick, F"
indicates that the person spoken Of is
"good fellow" and dates from an
expression of King Agesilaus, who, on
a certain occasion, pointing to his army,
said: "They are the walls of Sparta.
Every one there is brick"
"There's millions in it" comes from
Mark Twain's novel "The Gilded Age"
and Bret Harte is responsible for
"Ways that are dark and tricks that
are vain" Many of the slang phrases
in use are local. New York is respon-
sible for "You bet your boots" eyes,
stree, horsefy," knights of the green
CLOTH" and thousand like expressions.
Twenty-Five years ago one Of the pop
ular phrases was "Syksey, take the
butt" 1t had its origin in an express
sion by Frank Chanfrau as Nose in
Life in New York." very popular
play at that period. "By large ma
jority" is found in Woolf's play of
"The Mighty Dollar" "step down
and out" is attributed to the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher, and "Not for
Joe" is the refrain of London con-
cert hall song which was very popular
ten years ago. "Dog-gone it, was
born in Indiana.
From. the Immortal Shakespeare u
great amount of slang is derived. In
"Othello" the bard speaks of "croco-
die tears he also speaks Of party,
and from the exclamation of Hamlet,
"You cannot play upon me-" meaning
that the person does not accept the
truth of the story. "He's gone on her."
is only a new way of putting Polonius'
words regarding Hamlet's love for
Ophelia, that he was "gone, far gone"
"Giving him tafly" is popularity sup
posed to be of recent origin, but in
reality 200 years old, and has been in
use in London for fully that period.
Among the men of the past decade
who have contributed to the slang OF
the period may be mentioned Andrew
johnson, whose promise, ''I'lf be your
Moses" is still heard. "Shoo-ny" was
originated with Ben Butler, as applied
to S. S. Cox. "On the ragged edge
is the offspring Of the Plymouth pas
tor; "Gone where the woodbinc twincth'
was invented by Jim Fisk; "To hell
across lots" belongs to Brigham Young
"Where it would do the most good
came from Oakcs Ames, when speaking
of the placing of Credit Mobilier stock
"Thc almighty dollar" may be found
in Irving's works, and Truth James
comes from Bret Harte. "The regular
um tum propah capah" was involved
from the intellectual true inwardnes;
of Archy Gordon, feuilletonist of this
city.
The following conversation between
couple of newsboys in Park row will
give an idea of the American form Of
the English language as improved ur
to date;