Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1888-04-10
pICKWICKIAN TERMS.
A PROFESSOR OF BELLEs-LETTREs
GIVES A HISTORY OF THEIR USE.

Slang Not So Worthy Of Unqualified Com
domination Many People Suppose.
Now Everyday Idioms Give Scope to
an Inventive Fancy.
ssThe everyday idioms of the English
language commonly called slang are not
SO worthy Of unqualified condemnation as
many prudish people suppose, 2 observed
professor Of belles-lettres to reporter the
other day.
"They have direct, figurative signifi-
canoe and give scope to an inventive
fancy. For example, the expression
You make me tired indicates to a
shade the feeling Of lassitude inflicted by
bore. Again, What are you giving us?'
is merely figurative way of expressing
incredulity. Many sanguinary conflicts
have doubtless been averted by its use, as
the rugged, synonymous phrase, You are
lying. sirn has been known to give offense
to certain eccentric persons. Many slang
phrases are the embodiment of polite
spirit. When you are out with the boys
and exhibit in meteoric flashes the sium-
bering hilarity in your nature, to be told
that you are intoxicated strikes sensi-
tive chord in your breast; but to be ac-
costed with What an elegant load you
have got brings a smile of assent and sat
/ isfaction to your countenance every time.
| Gentlemen never acknowledge to being
drunk. 1t is still or jag they have
4 on The word drunk applies only to
! tramps. They are synonymous terms.
| Every acute intellect viii recognize this
subtle shade Of meaning
Gentlemen of pugilistic proclivities are
very careful in their language. They APP
| preciate the notifying effects of slang
idioms and are particular to employ them
| in speaking of their encounters. Who
ever heard champion of the ring say
that he gave his antagonist a black eye
or bloody nose? He prefers, in a spirit
of chiyalry. more elegant terms, and will
say that he closed pepper or tapped the
claret.' If he knocks his opponent down
he will say considerably that he sent him
to grass If he gains a victory he will
not injure the feelings of the vanquished
party by Boosting that he thrashed hll.
but will pour balm upon his wounds by
stating politely that be done him up
DRAWN STILL FURTHER.
sThe parallel between slang phrase.
and rugged English, y continued the pro
fessor, may be drawn still further n,
man is so devoid of fine feeling al to
acknowledge that he has pawned CT,
article. 1t is less shocking to hint with a
wink that his uncle has it, or that it
in hook, or even that he has hung it up.
These expressions exhibit the deed from a
humorous point Of view. In all walks Of life
we find this same endeayor at politeness.
A thief is called fly man or crook a
bride taker is called a 'boodler' and
swindlers are called sbunco steerers' and
'sawdust men, This is as it should be.
The English language, devoid of its figura.
tive idioms, is simply brutal. This ac-
counts for the birth of the word dude.
1t is far more elegant than its synonym
fool The ruthless small boy might hest
; tate at the latter, but the former he car
shout out at the top of his lungs whenever
some trifle of humanity may be blown
across his path.
"a slang term that has peculiar signifi
canoe is IA chippy chaser This is applied II
the prosecutors of honorable working girls
They stand upon the street corners unit
some pretty girls pass by, and then follow
them block after block, talking in LOUD
, voice and otherwise annoying them. 1t i:
,, gratifying to know that they are generally
left This last expression is applicable
to those who fail to attain the objects O.
their desires The 'chippy chaser, if sue
). cessful in making the clandestine &C
quaintance he seeks, and in making al
appointment Tor some future evening" is
as a rule, stood up. This means. in un
r vanished English, that he stands for hou
!, after hour at the appointed place awaiting
l the arrival of the expected female, proba
:, bly, in a violent rain or snow storm, for
1 'chippy chaser never gives up hope, Will
e the honest girl is probably sleeping in he
S bed.
n Here again the politeness of Sian!
s idioms is demonstrated. The synonym o
n 'chippy chaser is the pitiable word idiot,
o which is rather an unpleasant soundin.
: term to be applied to a young man. Tn
:. inventor of this idiom merits the heart
thanks of the brotherhood.
1T is obvious, ~ remarked the professo
in conclusion, from the foregoing exposi
o ton that our slang originates from tn
i innate delicacy Of feeling which is
{ characteristic of Americans from tn
If small boy up. The English language
v when plainly spoken, is harsh and jarrin
il and contains many unpleasant words
a Men of fine feeling naturally expires
ID themselves in figurative, or, to be les
10 scholarly, a Pickwickian sense New
Il York Mail and Express.