Rock Island Argus., 1894-11-17
SLANG AND JARGON.
ORIGIN OF WORDS THAT BECOME A
PART OF OUR LANGUAGE,

PART OF OUR LANGUAGE.
Some Arc Ephemeral, but Others Retain
Their Popularity-various Callinss Con-
tribute to This wordmaking-Some Wen
Known Examples.
Slang.-A new word that has no Just
reason for existence; a popular but un-
authorized word, phrase or mode of ex-
preston; the jargon. of some particular
calling or class in society
In other words, anything in the way
OF word or expression not in the diction-
ary is slang" When by reason of long
continued popularity and general usage
it is deemed worthy of a place in the
textbook and authority of the language,
it ceases to be Slang
1t is from the jargon of particular
callings or classes in society that the
English language is slowly but steadily
enriched. The slang phrase first becomes
dignified with the term idiom, and then
1t creeps into the new dictionary.
Not all slang is destined to this
apotheosis. Much of it is ephemeral. A
great deal OF it is meaningless, silly or
weak and dies in its childhood. Actor
folk are given to the invention of new
phrases more or less expressive, but short
lived. ''The ghost walks" is one of the
few instances of the jargon of stageland.
The theatrical term of makeup is
now in general use as descriptive Of
anythingstriking in inpersonal adornment,
referring to the clothing and not to a
disguise or enhancement of the features
as originally. Song and dance men,
acrobats, serio comics, sketch teams and
the lower order of theatrical folk in
dulge in slang that renders their con-
versation almost unintelligible. For in
stance, some knockout artist was struck
by the similarity Of the words pardon
and pudding, and to his bright mind
the transition to ''tapioca" was not diff
ficult, but there is no probability that
the expression "Beg your tapioca' will
supplant II beg your pardon" in the
language of the polite world.
The song and dance man may be ex-
cused in summer days of bankruptcy in
calling the man with money, willing to
spend 1t for refreshment, an 'angel, "
and this expression may in time creep
into the language, but for the present
the ancient term Of sucker" will suf-
| fee.
Circus slang was the forerunner of
the jargon of the variety stage, and in
the good days when the ''gaslit city of
tents was planted upon every village
green the circus folk had q language al
| most their own.
The roots of their vernacular were the
various parts of the tent and equipment
of the show. The boss of the show was
called the main guy" and this express
sion has to certain extent survived the
decline Of the circus, and the 'smain
guy" is frequently heard of in work
shops.
The great cattle ranges of the west
have given the world the term round
up" 1t originally referred to the an
nual gathering together of the cattle of
various owners that they might be sepa-
rated for shipment. Today in the bust
ness world it indicates an inquiry into
the affairs of firm or corporation and
has really the significance of stock tax
ing.
Thieves have gibberish so extensive
as to almost constitute language. 1t is
only understood among themselves and
by policemen, who are forced to acquire
the knowledge of its meaning Many of
the terms that have been in use for
years are really corruptions of the He
brew and had their origin among the
fences" or depots for the reception of
stolen goods in London. This jargon.
while continued for years. has never OBJ
tanned outside of the police and criminal
classes
Lost his grip" is terse, pathetic,
almost tragic term, conjuring up rs it
does the story of wasted ambition,
blasted hopes. ruin and despair, in all
probability originated among lodge peo-
pie. A man who had ''lost his grip"
was temporarily in dilemma.
From the mining camps of the far
west came ''struck it rich, - which now
applies to any human success; "up the
fiume, signifying failure; ''hard pan" g"
which means solid paying basis; ''pe-
tered out, y which suggests gradual
decline and final suspension of resources;
'grubstruck, for assistance given a
new business enterprise OH condition of
a share i'll perspective or possible profits
Bonanza has been good English word
for go years, and the Century dictionary
accepted it along with such words as
''boom," meaning TO manufacture sup
port and enthusiasm. and "squeal,"
meaning to confess and betray compan.
ions.
From the railroad yards came
NsWifched - with tho ,r,oar,src, Of Il;