The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-02-03
Amerieanisms.

isms, and as it is rather curious, we copy
it here:
Blizzard-This remarkable word Mr.
Bartlett defines as a poser" having
noticed, apparently, only a single
instance of its use, and jumped at
the conclusion this is the meaning in
tended. He adds the comment: mot
known in the Eastern sStates,,'As which
was generally true, no doubt, until
the sharp winter of 1880-S1 famil-
iarized the term Gas well as the
thing itself, in a greatly modified form)
70 the people of the east. 1t is hardly
necessary to say that a. real blizzard, as
the word is now understood, is terrific
storm, with low Barometer, light clouds
or none at all, and the air full of particles
of snow, in the form of dry, sharp crys-
tails, which, driven before the wind, bite
and sting like fire. The term'is said
to have made its first appearance in print
about the year 1860, in newspaper
called the Northern Vi1aoicator, published
at Baskerville, MINI. Its etymology can
only be guessed at, but there has been
no lack of guesses. The English word
blister; the French bouillard; the German
blitz: the Spanish brisa; the surname
Blizzard (said to be common around
Baltimore); an unpronounceable Sioux
term and the Scotch verb blizzen-all
these and other words have been sug-
gested withvarious degrees of improb-
ability as the origin of the term. NY own
onjecture is that it is simply an onoma-
top@ia; an attempt, not wholly I'M
successful, torepresent the whistlipg and
driving noise of q terrible storm. 1t
should be added that the word seems to
have been occasionally used ip various
places in the Eastern States for long
time past, in significance quite different
from its present meaning. Boom-a
semi-slang expression, though it appears
in the 1881 supplement to Worcester,
descriptive of a sudden advance in popu-
larity or in price. Perhaps borrowed
from the mining phraseology of the far
West, where a process called booming is
sometimes adopted to CLEAR off surface
soil and reveal supposed mineral veins.
An artificial reservoir is constructed near
the summit of mountain, which is first
allowed to fill with water, and is then
suddenly opened, whereupon torrent
rushes down the.slope, carrying rocks,
trees, earth and all, with resistless force.
To buck against-To oppose violently.
Canaille-Shorts,. Or low grades of flour.
Casket-A kind of coffin. This first APP
pears in the Webster Supplement- of 1879.
Coal--Bartlett plumbers fearfuilyin at
tempting to give the names of the differ
ent sizes of coal. His list is. l. Broken,
or furnace coal, being the largest humps;
9. Stove or range; g. Pea or nut; 4. Egg.
5. Coal dust. The correct nomenclature
is: l. Furnace; 2. Egg; 3. Stove; 4.
Chestnut; 5. Pea; 6. Coal dust Coral
of lobster Unimpregnated eggs. Not
in the dictionaries except the Webster
Supplement, and incorrectly defined
there. Dodger-A small handful; not
in the dictionaries. Escalan-Twelve
and half cents. A New Orleans term,
not in the dictionaries Fair&An ex-
hibition, not primarily for the purpose
of sale. This very common American
use of the word is not recognized by
any dictionary in ordinary use, though
the authority of recent writer in the
Westminster ReUie1O may be cited in its
support. French-A term used in Mary
land and Virginia for anything that is
greatly disliked, Furore-An excite
ment not in any English dictionary, so
far as | know, although it is found in
one of Bartlett's citations. Gripsack-
vulgar term for satchel, chiefly heard
at the West. Highwines This may not
be an American coinage, but it appears
in no dictionary except the Webster
Supplement. Institute-A convention.
Farmers misunderstanding lasting
two or three days, with lectures and dis
cqSsions-are very common at the West.
Liable for likely-A vulgar error that
sometimes creeps into good company.
Mung news-A writer in Blackwood, for
October, 1877, says that mung is the
preterite of the old English verb ming,
to mix-whence mfngle-and means,
not false Gas Bartlett has it, } but con
fused. You must not, instead of you
may not, rs the reverse of you may.
Closely allied to this is the incorrect use
of can or may, when there is no question
Of ability. A line on the face of our
postal cards makes the absurd statement
that nothing but the address can be
placed on this side.''W The English
newspaper wrappers have a similar
NOTICE, correctly wordeds "This wrap
per may only be used for news
papers," Ninepence-Twelve and a
half cents. Formerly used in, NewsEn-
gland and Virginia. Railroad noInen-
clature+ bartlett gives a, list of eighteen
objects pertaining railroads, (which
have different names in the two countries,
but fails to note that the American ''buf.
fer is the English bumper" and the
American grade the English /" gradi-
ent." Solid-colored-All of the same
color. This expression, common among
cattle-breeders and dry goods dealers,
may not be an Americanism, perhaps.
but no dictionary defines it. Super
Bartlett says this is a contraction of SUI
perintendent. The SUPER or, as he
Is commonly called, the '''supe'' at a the
alter, is certainly by no meansa superin-
tcndent, but a supernumary Tender
foot-Anew arrival from civilization in
the wild regions of the Far West. There
is post-otfice called "Tenderfoot'' in
Custer County, DIT WhiskyGTt is.
perhaps, to Mr.. BARTLETT s credit that he
does not seem to be very well "up" in
the Varieties Of this popular beverage. as
he remarks that Bourbon whisky is the
best, being made of rye" AS to the
question ofthe best kind of whisky there