The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-05-23
The Philosophy Of slang.

language commonly called slang are
not so worthy of unqualified condemn
alton as many prudish people suppose"
observed n professor of belles-letters
to a Mail and Express reporter the
other day.
They have a direct figurative sig
nificance and give scope to an inven-
tive fancy. For example, the express
sion You make me tiredp indicates to
a shade the feeling of lassitude in
flicted by bore, Again, the phrase
What are you giving usp' is merely a
tigurative way of expressing incredul-
ity. Many sanguinary conflicts have
doubtless been averted by its use, as
the rugged synonymous phrase, you
are lying, sir! has been known to give
offense to certain eccentric persons.
Many slang phrases are the embodi-
ment of n polite spirit. When you are
out with the boys and exhibit in me-
teoric flashes the slumbering hilarity
in your nature, to be told that you are
intoxicated strikes sensitive chord in
your breast; but to be accosted with
What an elegant load you have got,
brings n smile of assent and satisfac-
ton to your countenance every time.
Gentlemen never acknowledge to be-
ing drunk. 1t is still or Jag they
have on. The word drunk applies
only to tramps. They are synonymous
terms. Every acute intellect will rec
ognize this subtle shade of meaning.
Gentlemen of pugilistic proclivities
are very careful in their language.
They appreciate the modifying effects
of slang idioms, and are particular to
nt,,,N1n,v tbn,,, s,, l-,,,r 90 IL,
counters. Who ever heard a champion
of the ring say that he gave his antag-
onist black eye or a bloody noseP
He prefers, in a spirit of chivalry,
more elegant terms, and will say that
he CLOSED a pepper or tapped the
claret.' If he knocks his opponent
down he will say considerably that he
sent him TO grass If he gains vic
tory he will not injure the feelings of
the vanquished party by boasting that
he thrashed him, but will throw balm
upon his wounds by stating politely
that he done him up
1.-The parallel between slang phrases
and rugged English" continued the
professor, "may be drawn still far
ther. No man is so devoid of fine feel
ing as to acknowledge that he has
pawned an article. 1t is less shocking
to hint with a wink that his uncle has
it, or that it is in 'hock, or even that
he has hung it up These expressions
exhibit the deed from humorous point
of view In all walks of life we find
this same endeayor at politeness. A
thief is called fly man or a crook,
a bribe-taker is called 'boodler, and
swindlers are called 'bunco-steerers'
and 'sawdust men,. This is as it should
be. The English language, devoid Of
its figurative idioms, is simply brutal.
This accounts for the birth of the word
dude
1t is far more elegant than its syn
onym, fool The ruthless small boy
might hesitate at the latter, but the
former he can shout out at the top of
his lungs whenever some trifle of hui
manity may be blown across his path.
A slang term that has peculiar signif-
cance IS "a chippy chaser This is APP
piled to the prosecutors of honorable
working girls. They stand upon the
street corners until some pretty girls
pass by, and then follow them block
after block talking in loud voice and
otherwise annoying them. 1t is graf
flying to know that they are generally
'left. This last expression is applica-
BILE to those who fail to attain the OBJ
| iects of their desires. The 'chippy
chaser if successful in making the
clandestine acquaintance he seeks,
and in making an appointment for
some future evening, is, as rule,
stood up This means, in unvar-
nished English, that he stands for hour
after hour at the appointed place await
ing the arrival of the expected female,
probably in violent rain or snow
storm, for a 'chippy chaser never
gives up hope, while the honest girl is
possibly sleeping in her bed.
"Here again the politeness of slang
idioms is demonstrated. The synonym
of 'chippy chaser is the pitiable word
idiot, which, is rather an unpleasant
sounding term to be applied to young
man. The inventor of this idiom mer-
its the hearty thanks of the brother
hood.
at is obvious remarked the pro-
fessor in conclusion, ''frOm the fore
going exposition that our slang origi-
mates from the innate delicacy of feel
ing which is a characteristic of Ameri-
cans, from the small boy up. The En-
glish language, when plainly spoken,
is harsh and jarring, and contains
many unpleasant words. Men of fine
feeling naturally express themselves
in a figurative, or, to be less scholarly,
Pickwickian sense. ."-NetO York Mail
and Express.