Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-23

From the New Fork Morning Journal
"Thsnks awfally," says the society maiden OF
Gotham when some favored youth sends her
$50 bouquet for the german, and she meets
him before the dance with the flowers In her
pretty hand and a bewitching smile. She
doesn't stop to think that "thahks" il slangy,
and that awful" means terrible or fearful.
Neither does the youth, although he may think
the florists bill really "awful'
ANY one listening with . critical ear to the
hear many words used in q way not spoken of
by any of the great dictionary makers, aud the
foreigner who comes here for few months and
10 admitted into the charmed circle Is often
bewildered by the strangeness of the language.
isn't Miss So-and-So Just awiuily graceulf"
winter TO an Austrian count Witn whom she
was promenading. He was SO bewildered that
he stood still tor = few moments, then he stole
pocket dictionary and read, aAwful: that which
strikes with reverential fear" and after learn
ing this well went back TO the ball room and
told another young lady that he thought Miss
So-and-6o was "reverentially, strikingiy grace
full, which the young lady thought was an tex
auisite compliment, put In such a neat way,
The constant use Of the phrase "you know"
larded into all conversations at an interval OF
a score of Stonewall Jacksons 10 crush It with
bal, Is Ss yoar snSse Put :.
Of pounding the fact into him at every breath
ing placer A reply 70 this delightful mode Of
and every "you know" Is greeted with 'just
fancy" generally pronounced .'fawncy." II
these two phrases were reversed there might
De some reason for their being, for the story.
teller should be told che Knew and the recipi-
ent asked to 'Just fancy" the picture or situa-
ton Of the story.
favorits mode of address used by young
ladies' to the young men Of their acquaintance
Is " Ny dear child" spoken in q rather patron
izing tone Of voice with pretty drawl. The
man Seldom IN I'm
the compliment with an emphasized, "Now,
really when the young lady is lecturing him
about the path he should follow.
But the "ToO sweet for any hings' applied to
men. caranes, flowers dresses, dogs, babies
and dozen other objects, the "EXquisitely
favishings' describing lunch, y prima donna's
voice. or new bonnet, aud the similar absurd
yet bewitching slang used by the girls in So
clety Is far outdone by the young men about
except go to the club and invent new slang
words. The classic expression, "By Jove," il
sun but ony as an en.res or side dish as
uque, and SUCH phrases are permitted, but the
new expressions are most In vogue.
goes To- ths my he
MS most cherished possession, and his com.
rades Know that when he swears By it he
When one of these dear individuals awakes
In the morning and does not find his cold bath
ready aud his trousers newly ironed he ex-
Claims: "By the Prince Of Wales! what do you
mean?" and the valet who Is generally Eng
lisii, Is so thoroughly frightened at the men
tion OF II. Il. ID. name that he is nstantly sub
dued.
"rhe Guv'nor'' is no longer considered q
proper term to apply to ones iather. He is now
called he paier, and The mother is designated
as the "madane" or the mater. "rin" is too
obsolete a word for money, and SO IA new one
has been found. "Have you a few truffies to
spare to-day, old chappie?'' "Not a truI, my
Doy. Got cleared out at Del's last nigut," Is the
way IL Is spOhen now.
There are hundred new slangy words and
expressions added TO the fashionable vOcabu-
larry, ana some ilnpecunious but noble youth
might make fortune getting up q dictionary
OF them called "a Key to Conversation in P0-
lite Circles"