The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-13
Complaint Thar S ang
 Is Used to Excess.

It has been suggested lately that a primer of slang is needed by persons wishing to get along in good society, says a writer in the New York Sun. Certainly the use of slang has increased greatly in the Fifth avenue world.
 Said a stately old lady the other day, apropos of some admiring comments which followed the departure from the room of vivacious young matron:
 T should enjoy her more, I think, if l always understood what she was talking about. I suppose I am very old-fash- toned, for I find often that l really need a key to the conversation of the younger members of society.
 Now, for instance, the other day my granddaughter said to me conhdentially, I really think Miss Dash is getting dotty, and at my look of inquiry she adaed'
 'nutty," you know
 "Of course I didn't know until she eX- plained that both words meant silly. She afterward explained with some conde- scension, I thought that Bats in the befry, Talking through your hat, Wheels in your head 'Chinks.' Oh dope and Don't queer yourself are all used to express doubt of a statement or ot the speakers mental conditions and also learned that to show marked disbellet one need only say, Here's your hat; must you go?
 When l thanked her she said gayly Don't try to use those words yet, grand ma. or you will fall down. meaning that I might get mixed up"
 We had a house party over Thanks giving" laughed another matron with gray hair. "and I wish you had been with us. l think your education in slang might have been hurried along consid- erably.
 Shes a slick piece of furniture,' l heard my son say to a chum and l found he was talking of a girl friend.
 Yes was the answer, and Jones has got quite bally over her
 Oh, Jones always gets onto every beach, returned my son. When 1t comes to mashing he thinks he is the whole push
 Boys I interjected, you will be late for dinner.
 Just hold it off. mother, will you, till I climb into my evening elothes?' was the answer l got
 At the dinner table one night two of the men exchanged a remark that showed an understanding between them, and at once there were cries of Make me next, Buy me ticket, I'm off the train,' etc. l was quite bewildered until it dawned upon me that that was the new way Of saying, Let me into the secret.
 "T declare l said to my daughter soon after, half the time I don't know what you young people are talking about
 Well. make a stab at it. she an- swered blthey. and. somewhat stunned. l concluded the expression must be the modern version of try, try again
 Before I could ask, though, she handed me note of thanks from a prospective bride to whom she had sent present It began:
 "It was great of you to send me that dandy dish
 "'To think of calling you great for sending trining present, and a dish dandyr I commended handing the note back and my daughter looked surprised.
 CT have no doubt she writes to her friends in precisely the same style, for a few days later when we went to view her friends wedding presents she ex- claimed the first thing:
 oh, what a bully tea set
 CT believe though that bully is now a household word and used to describe anything from ice cream to a journey to Africa; so why not a tea set?
 Just then a girl friend of my daugh- ter came along and said to her, What daisy hat you have on.'
 Like it? she asked in return.
 ''Yes indeed it suits you down to the ground.
 That's right, chimed in one of my daughters male admirers, who was at her elbow, using an expression which