The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-15
SLANG IN LONDON.
It's Use Is Spreading Among Those
Who Should Know Better.
London Mail.


The use of slang is spreading alarmingly
IN all classes of London society. Even at
the best lat homes" the regrettable practice
is more. noticeable than ever. Slang has
one and only one, advantage. 1t often con-
Veys to the mind a clearer and more distinct
sense of what is meant than would more
classic language.
"High-falutin'' is much in evidence just
now, as a slangism 1t means putting side
on being stuck up" showing off," and
such like human failings Come now, none
O yer high-falutin'," when expressed in
angry voice of a big man, is solemn warn
ing to the other man not to appear what he
+ the nos swe neitn nr TIC 10 Sow nor initiate
The vernacular is particularly rich in slang
remarkable in their appropriateness. In
scores OF ways one may speak of our coin,
among them being ''the actual" the need
ful; or the. ,wherewithal." tin, -
dust, tchinck'' shot ''shekels, or
'.'spopdulics;" stamps" feathers or
'palm-oi," which last is such an obviously
applicable word for it that "shin-plaster''
seems feeble by comparison.
These ,epithets, however, are not more
curious than the technical and trade slang
which was brought to the notice of the
royal commission on labor Among the
quaint terms as set forth in the report Of
"caunched' ''fudd' ''mungs" "sIop-dash
work" Springer" "tlngles, and '..slugger."
song, Come where the booze is cheaper"
IN this connection story, said to be anthem
tic, is being told.
On the terrace beneath the windows of the
royal apartments at Windsor Castle, the
GUARDS Band was playing a lively air, which
immensely pleased the Queen. She sent a
gentleman to find out the title of the music.
He returned with hesitancy, trying his ut
most to avoid telling her Majesty the name
of the piece.
He, however was forced to report. and
the sovereign was told that the tune was
Come Where the Booze Is Cheaperr Uni
yersltles are happy hunting grounds for
slangisms A student always goes up to
the ''"varsits." Little go'' and ''smalIs''
are the names given respectively at Cam
bridge and Oxford to a students first ex-
animation. The final exam on which de-
grees are obtained is called greats at OK
ford and the great go" at Cambridge
When man" failed at an exam. he used
ever, such an event is more frequently re-
ferred to as being ''powed." The greatest
calamity that can befall student is to be
''rusticated." that is sent down from the
university for a term or for good.
A genius for quaint metaphor and a nat
ural picturesque use of language make
American slang humorous. Sometimes it is
even tlnged with poetry. Here are a few
American slangisms which are becoming at
nome on this side Of the Atlantic: "Tangie-
foot, which has almost the ring of poetry
about it. as name for ardent spirits is a
happy thought. The patient labor of the
gold washer and the finality of its results
Is very graphically expressed by "pan-out"
which is also used to denote a climax. What
q concrete image is conveyed to the mind
by the designation sh-buggy," as com
pared with our meaningless equivalent
"perambulator!"
To F'have a hard row to hoe" is said of a
person who has a difficult undertaking in
hand. England has become familiarized
with coon" Ga contraction of "racoon)
and "a gone COON" the latter signifyinge one
IN such an awful fix" as to be absolutely
past praying for"
It's origin is traceable to the American
civil war, in which a spy dressed in a racoon
skin hid himself up tree. A soldier came
fy,Ir Il
prepared TO fire at him with his rifle.
This was too much for Mr.. Spy, who
shouted; Don't shoot; tn come down., l
came to earth, which as it were so ''tium-
muxed" his would-be destroyer that the
latter at once made tracks" from the
scene.