The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-31
SLANG OF THE ACTORS.
Rules Of a Boarding House Frequented
by Variety Performers.

=
by Variety Performers.
Philadelphia Press
The writer was once in Mike Tully's
clearinghouse in Philadelphia. 1t is a
great resort for variety actors. In the
rooms he displayed sign which read as
follows:
here; this is an actors boarding house. No re-
ligion at the feed; all you want in your room.
Eating from o. m till a. M, and all you want
Settle once week, il you don't leave your grip.
circumstances. Eat, drink and be merry but
don't forget to settle for booze and feed.
cake or bluff" stories were supposed to
be untrue.
No kitty" in the center of the table
made it clear to the actors that poker play
ing would not be allowed.
Settle for "booze and feed" meant lager
beer and food.
A ''fy by night" engagement is for a
night in some small town, when to escape
the sheriff it might be necessary to
Jump" or leave the town in the dead Of
night.
4 s'rube' is a brief term for country
theater-goer for whom the show is too
rich for his blood, or too good, in other
words.
A 'curbstone actor" is one who does all
his work promenading the streets looking
for an engagement.
80. P" is supposed to tell one of the
opposite side, and brunette linen" is an
easy expression for uncleap or soiled
linen.
His o. P. heel was quite worn of,
And he pulled brunette cuff.
The "grip" is usually the stage hand at a
theater. In the olden times ''grip" was
- .lnx .~1-
for theatrical honors. He would apply at
the stage door of theater for an engage
ment.
A heavy grip or bag, containing iron
or bricks would be given him as the first
work to be done, to deliver to one of the
stage hands at another theater. He would
be sent all along the route, from one to
another, until he would finally return to
where he came from, tired and weary, only
to be told that there was no engagement
for him.
A fairy" is supposed to be an actress of
uncertain age, but with no uncertain tenn
per.
A ''mug" is homely actor.
"He's right in the line and always in it,
an actor who can play many parts and play
them all well.
A .'ham beef eater" is an actor who can
not act, and who halls from merry Eng
land.
"He went into trance" is translated
TO the effect that the actor forgot the lines
Of his part.
professional Jonah" is to be feared,
for it is supposed that he will bring bad
luck to the company.
The "ghost hasn't walked means that
salaries have not yet been paid.
Called back before the springtime
came, gentle Annie" is an easy way of ex-
planning the play was failure and the
company disbanded by the management
" Hitting the grape" means the actor
was drinking champagne.
The "long green is short for green
backs. -
Playing On velvet" is an expression
actors like to use. 1t gives one the idea
that great deal of money has come into
the treasury, all bills squared up, and
everything now being played to bring
profit.
Split EN- up the back" is English for
making great success with the public.
Ion the dead cold level" means an hon
est man or an absolute truth.
Played TO the limit" means that the
theater was crowded to its utmost ca
pacity.
mailer" is like "corker," either a
good fellow or good actor.
Cheese cracking" is an apt expression
for keeping quiet.
Cheese cracking on the forty" means to
tell the story lower, as some one may over
hear what is being said.