FOREWORD

The editors of this exclusive little dictionary painstakingly have collected from letters, communications and other sources of information, expressions and words now heard in every stratum of American life. They are strictly American, coined to fit the express needs of that particular phase of life in which they are used. Circus folk, stage people, hobos, crooks, flappers and cake-eaters, cowboys, members of the 400, aviators et al have their own peculiar vernaculars. This book should prove a valuable source of information to the philologist. No detective should be without it if he would understand the jargon of the criminal he hunts. No parent should be without it to know whereof his offspring speaks. No actor, looking for new lines, should be without it. No writer, who must understand current expressions and words, should be without it. No American should be without it if he would understand the talk about him. In compiling this book there has been an underlying element of seriousness. However, it is filled with humor and fun and there is a laugh in it for everyone. The editors realize that they have not fully covered the ground and as this volume will be reissued from time to time it is hoped that those who read it will write in all information they think will prove an addition to a DICTIONARY OF THEIR OWN LANGUAGE.

The Editors.

A Act like a ferry boat—Come across Alaskan butcher—One who gives you the cold shoulder All wet—Too dry to be interesting Ambulance chaser—Pessimistic lad African Golf—Seven come ’leven Alchoholic athlete—Rum runner Adam and Eve on a raft—Eggs not shipwrecked Applesause—Bah! Answer to a squirrel’s prayer—A nut Ankled by—Went by and not riding A frail—Not one of the stronger sex Annie Oakley—Free ticket As good as last month’s commutation ticket—Not much Answer to a Maiden’s prayer—He’s good looking Affectionate eyes—Cross eyes that insist on looking at each other Airship—Youth who walks his girl home Advance agent for a hard winter—A grouch Alias—Woman’s new married name An eclipse—Freckled face All-around girl—Fat Miss Animal cracker model—Girl with a dear face and bare knees Answer like a horse—Say nay but mean yes Armstrong wheeler—Wheelbarrow when a hobo has to use it Asphalt Arab—Man whose idea of a good time is to take his girl window shopping And I don’t mean maybe—Jazz form of putting one’s self on oath B Blanket the headlights—Turn the eggs over Bats in the belfrey—Crazy Break your lips—Say something Burn him up—Arouse his anger Bee’s knees—Bee-Utiful Be your age—Act it Bum shaft—Bad leg Button your lip—Don’t talk so much Bad news—Piece of pasteboard handed by the waiter after a meal Bologna bender—Thrower of so-called bull Ball and chain—The wife Buy a violin—Expression politely informing listener his hair is long Bit by a fox—Very wise Bedroom suit—Pair of Pajamas Be a monkey’s uncle—Be surprised B. Y. Boy—One who says “be yourself” or act natural Bag of wind—Hefty talker who says nothing Broadcaster—Repeater of everything he hears Bird’s Eye View—A stingy person Big cheese—The Boss Be an automat—When a girl says to her fellow, “Help yourself” Buy groceries at the same store—Get married Blondes—Gold money Blow the joint—Move on B’s knees—The kind bachelors like to look at Balloon juice—Hot air Bumped off—Killed Button polishing—Close dancing Bootlegger’s dream—Prohibition Brick roof—Red headed. Babe Ruth hose—Stockings full of runs Brought home the bacon—All that was lacking for breakfast Butter-and-Egg man—Broadway’s angel B. V. D. girl—Born very dumb Big House—Jail Blind baggage—Hobo’s haven between tender and baggage car Bloomer—A total failure Book—Crook’s term for a stretch of life in the penitentiary Badly bent—Almost broke Bum’s rush—Gentle way of extricating anyone Bull—The man in the blue suit Boat sails on Wednesday—Cancelling a vaudeville act in England Badge man—Detective Blow!—The skin game man’s signal to his confederates to lose at the game Broad tosser—Three-card skin game artist Big swinger—Crocked ten-pin game in side shows Blow off—Hoochie-coochie show in circus, where lots has blown off Broad—Woman or girl or queen in a card skin game Birds on the aerial—Flighty Banana Oil—Yes, he has some Blue envelope—Cancelling a vaudeville act in America Book full of interest—Bankbook Barefoot on top—Baldheaded Bo—Hobo, pardner Bungalow—One without an upper story Beach nut—Girl with a permanent wave Big Thrill—Electric chair Brown sugar—Sweet but unrefined Bookkeeper—Maker of many dates Boxing the compass—Ordering everything on the bill of fare Baseball highballs—Three and out Blue streak—Cigarette C Cradle snatcher—Person who prefers a younger companion Communion suit—Best of anything Cat’s meow—The latest thing Can that chatter—Request for written statement Come out in the wash—Be all right in the end Cut the comedy—Stop joking Cough it up—Say what you want Coffin varnish—Bad whiskey Carbolic acid—Goodbye in any language Canned tongue—Bashful and untalkative fellow Cauliflower cultivator—Pugilist Can opener—Wife who serves hubby’s meals directly from the delicatessen Chasing them in the open—Scratching the head C. O. D. boy—One with a crush on dames Clean up the Kitchen—Plate of hash Calendar—One with many engagements Chin music—Chatter Cat’s pajamas—Something classy Cat’s glee—Dumb but happy Cold as grandmother’s kiss—Lacking in enthusiasm and ardor Creeping Jesus—Joy killer Cat’s whiskers—Nifty Chew the rag—Engage in conversation Canalboats—Large sized shoes Call on one’s Uncle—Sightseeing beneath the sign of the three balls Come up for air—Stop talking Cold meat box—A coffin Chamois pusher—Window cleaner Calendar week—All dated up Chair warmer—A politician Chase the cow down this way—Pass the milk Classy Rib—Nicely appearing young woman Coffin nails—Cigarettes Crackerjack lamp quencher—Female adept at giving black eye Curbstone scratch—Street idler China closet—Mouth full of false teeth Call off your dog—You’re stepping on my foot Cop a mope—Take a walk Cauliflower carnival—Boxing match Club steak—Girl whose appetite is great Checker player—Girl who moves from one fellow to the other Cigar lighter—One who never works Chicken butcher—Lady killer Crab the show—Spoil the affair Cross-country man—An automobile thief Cop and blow!—The skin game man’s signal to his confederates to win and walk away Chive—knife or dagger Corn crusher—Dancer who is particular about his partner’s feet Capper—An auctioneer’s confederate who bids up Cop!—The skin game man’s signal to his confederates to win Cheaters—Pair of glasses Carries his lunch in his hat—Never tips his hat Cut up old dough—Talk over old times Carrying the banner—Going all night without a bed Crash a snowbank—Enter a cocaine sniffing joint Conducer—Railroad conductor Cold turkey—Definite statement of facts Cork the glycerine—Stop the movie tears Caser—One dollar bill Croaker—Doctor, referred to in a sarcastic vein as the man who kills you Crashing the gate—A mild divertisement of a man without a ticket Clean—Broke Capper—Come-on man in circus skin games Camel snatcher—Flapper who likes her puff Close your delicatessen before your tongue gets cold—Less Talk Cut the gallows—Throw away that rope you’re smoking Combination—Hobo term for regular meal Corking party—Lots to drink Cabaret sunburn—Liquor flush Court plaster—Young lady summoned to court often Crack up—Wreck of an airplane D Douse the glim—Put out the light Dig a hole and pull it in after you—Leave and don’t come back Dropping one’s roof—Losing one’s hat Draw one at twilight—Put a little milk in the coffee Doughnut with the cramps—A cruller Dead but won’t lay down—Unintelligent Do a Weston—Take a long and quick walk Duck one’s fire extinguisher—Get away from one’s chaperone Don’t be an Airdale—Rebuke for fickleness Dish out the dirt—Tell the latest scandal Doormat—A coward Drag your freight—Hurry up Decorate the mahagony—Lay the money on the bar Danger signal—Pistol permit Do a Steve Brodie—Take a chance Dissolve your solder—Act as if you knew something Double up on coffin nails—Give one’s companion a cigarette, too Dead from the dandruff down—Exceedingly dumb Drug store cowboy—Fellow who spends nothing but time Date up with one’s Lizzie—Engage to take Lady for an automobile ride Dutch treat—The way two girls take each other to lunch Draw one in the dark—Draw a cup of black coffee Door bell polisher—Hall petter Drug store—Painted blonde Don’t be a hero—Don’t show off Down in front—Pull down your dress Don’t mean maybe—When one don’t Ducat—Ticket Dicer—Hat Dispepsia—Marriage disagreement Dash of heat—Light for cigarette Draw some rabbit tracks—Write a letter Dropped the curtains—Put on long trousers Do a flat—Be so tired as to sleep without turning over Dip—Pickpocket Duke me—Hand it to me Deuce—Two dollar bill Deemer—Dime Don’t be a brace and bit—You bore me Double saw—Twenty dollar bill Declaration of Independence—Divorce Dental mechanic from Queens—Brooklyn bridge worker Ditched—Hobo term for being thrown off a train Deck—When a hobo rides on top of a train E Exercise your nostrils—Invitation to take the air Elephant’s tusk—Hard customer Evening sticks—Night clubs Eleven bottles—Term among professional men for a good case Eye-opener—Short dress Ear-bender—Fast talker Elbow man—One who nudges the sucker out after he’s trimmed Easter Egg—Painted and hard boiled flapper F Fools’ Paradise—Marriage Full of static—Not worth listening to Fits like a drink of water—Just the right size Press the flesh—Shake hands Fiddler’s monkey—A roaming person Free Ride—Social trip with the police French pastry inhaler—Cake-eater Feel like a cent waiting for change—Feel embarrassment Feather your nest—Go to bed Freezing the tongue and giving the teeth a sleigh ride—Keeping still Fan yourself—Calm down Flying omelet—Yellow taxicab Fag me—Give me a cigarette Fadeout—Vanish Flannel kid—Child who shrinks from washing Fixer—Man who handles the officials in order to conduct any unfair game or business Fly paper—A fellow who sticks around to catch something Fly a Kite—Meaning just that—but out of the presence of the suggester Fin—Five dollar bill Flat joint—Unbeatable game Face on the wall—Clock Funeral march—Youth who is lost on the dance floor and doesn’t know it Flat-tire—Girl never to be taken to a blow-out Frogskin—Dollar bill Fried chicken—Married flapper G Gate Slammer—Person who begs meals at back door Galloping dominoes—Frollicking dice Give your tongue a holiday—Stop talking Getting spliced—Getting married Gun-toter—User of a hypodermic needle Give a tumble—Introduce Guy knows his onions—Knows his strongest points Grand—Thousand dollars Goofy—Crazy Going to a fire—In a hurry Go by Shank’s mare—Walk Good head for the lumber business—Blockhead Go cook a radish—Don’t be a bore Gold digger—Female prospector on Broadway Getting the wrong number—Date with an ugly telephone operator Gummy—Man without teeth Globe Circler—A goldfish Gunner—Girl out for conquest Give us a crawl—May I have the pleasure of the next dance Good case but bum lawyer—Intentions are good but outcome doubtful Gimmick—Device used for making a fair game crooked Go by shoe leather express—To walk Grift—Thievery Gang Plank—Old man who lets his family walk over him Glims—Pair of spectacles Gin-healer—Nice young woman who conceals her gin in her stocking Gold in them hills—Easy customer Gaff—Any system used for cheating Gin-blossom—Flapper who likes to bloom now and then Grease my mitt—Give me some graft money Gadget—A trick Gay cat—Tramp who never works Gun between the sheets for a traitor—Ham sandwich for Sammy Moskowitz Good soldier—Girl who can face powder Got money in the bank—When one talks to oneself Graft—Hobo lingo for occupation or job Glom—Steal in hobo language Go back in the oven you’re half-baked—You don’t act sanely H He’s got fish hooks in his pockets—He’s very stingy Hot in the socks—Full of energy and pep High shot—Rich fellow Hooking up to a battery and blowing a fuse—Telling a lie Hope to kiss a cock-eyed pig if I don’t—Affectionate determination Hand him the jug—Put him in jail Handy as a crutch—Able to do—nothing Have a drag—Have influence Hiding behind the bushes—Lacking a shave Hang crape on the head—Mourn for the brain Hold your horses—Rein in yourself Half pint—Stunted individual Hit the hay—retire H. T. M. Girl—Hates to miss—anything Hen’s teeth—Superlatively fine Hot socks—Uncontrollable Charleston feet Hot puppies in a haystack—Frankfurters and sauerkraut Have a seat, Lady—Something not said in subways Heebie-jeebies—Alcoholic shimmy Heavy sugar papa—Sweet old man with fat purse Hit the deck—Get out of bed He’s a sketch—He’s comical Hope to smoke a herring—Certain He’s a tin type—He’s old fashioned Hype—To overcharge. As, “That place has a hype on this week.” Home run—Married man Hire a hall—Tell it to a woman Herring slinger—The man in a white apron at a restaurant Hey Rube!—Signal for fight on circus lot Holy picture—Man who needs a shave Horse and buggy—Young lady out of date—with long hair Her name is radio—She’s easily picked up Hashslinger—Mystery man in a restaurant Horizontal refreshment—Sleep Hike—When a hobo has to walk He has more coats than an onion—He’s full of apologies He’s a bar fly—He sips all the free drinks he can His old man’s a baker—Got lots of dough How strong are you?—That is, your pocketbook Head keeper—Father of a large family Hold that lion!—Confession of paralyzing fear How do you get that way?—Implying proved lunacy Hot ziggetty dog—Expressing unlimited admiration I Interior Decorator—Bartender If I don’t see you again, Hello—Goodbye forever Imitate a tree—Leave Italian Decoration—Spaghetti Ice—Diamond It’s Jake with me—It’s alright In the bag—Prearranged result in a contest Irish toothache—Punch in the jaw Itch—Love It’s a wow!—Great! I’m from Missouri—Admission of something lacking In the red—Losing money in show parlance I love you—A boast In the deep—In a losing game Illuminated—Covered with 10 cent jewelry I’ll see you on the installment plan—Once a month I’m between salaries—I’m out of work Incorporate!—You’re too clever for one man Indoor tan—Dirty hands and neck Ironsides—Girl with corsets Indoor aviator—Elevator operator I’ll say so—Emphatic agreement I should worry—Disclaiming responsibility It’s a bear—Highest form of praise It’s the bee’s knees—Approval by comparison J Jew’s Harp—Abie’s Irish Rose Jarring the cherries off grandma’s bonnet—Doing something that is excitedly up-to-date Jam pitch—To work up a sale by a scale of refunds until the sucker has fallen for a high amount Jip—To cheat or steal Jawbone—Credit Jumping tintypes—Movies Jig—Negro John Law—Policeman Jump—Hobo term for move from town to town Jewish salmon—Ham K Kitten’s fallen arches—Persistent fault finder Kick in the pants—Libation in the hip pocket Keeping your shirt on—Remaining cool and calm Keep off my sidewalk-slappers—Keep off my feet Kitchen mechanic—Culinary artist Kid top—Side show in a circus Knock-over—Cleanup Kick-back—Have to return a sucker’s money Keep your shadow the same—You’re getting fat Knockout—Girl who knocks your eye out L Last sensation—A tight shoe Let’s blouse—Let’s go Loan me your frame for the next struggle—Polite way of asking for the next dance Lit up like a lighthouse—Brilliantly inebriated Lot of bologna—Gross exaggeration Let me off the merry-go-round—Stop kidding me Lounge lizard—Parlor sheik Let the brakes off the beans—Table etiquette for asking for same Liberty bond—Divorce papers Landlord’s birthday—Day landlord calls for the rent Lower than a snake’s belt-buckle—Not very high Lay off the Bennie—Let go the overcoat Lot of crust—Lot of nerve Let’s have some inside dope—Expression of a man who wants a drink Lip—Argument Lamp it—Look it over Lemon squeezer—One who prefers maiden ladies Looking in the pink—Appearing in fine condition Like a flea in a bale of hay—Not amounting to much Long drink of water—Thin person Landscape explorer—Youth who sits his girl on a park bench and talks about the scenery Lay-down—Set of numbers on gaming table Lift an elbow—Common talk where beer is concerned Lush up—To get drunk Leading a dog’s life—A girl who gets nothing but petting and scraps Leave a good impression—Use lots of lip rouge Lambs on the bum—When lambs escape on a ranch Let it ride on a fish—Send it C. O. D. Lottery ticket—Marriage license Lily pad hopper—A dance hound Laugh that off—Controversial triumph M Model in a spaghetti factory—A thin person Mouthpiece—Legal adviser Mitt me—Shake my hand Money flows like glue—Sticks to the pockets Mug masher—Prize fighter Massage the tonsils—To eat Meal ticket—Husband Moving for another trial—Courting the second wife Map laundress—Beauty shop proprietress Micro-gabbler—Broadcasting scandalmonger Missionary work—Dancing with wall-flowers Muzzle—Kiss with no time off for air Misplaced eyebrow—So-called mustache Mouth organ—The tongue Mystery—Hash Meg—Any denomination of silver money between ten cents and one dollar; signified by fifteen megs, twenty megs, etc. Mac—Man who lives off the earnings of a woman Mollbuzzer—Man who snatches a woman’s pocketbook Mark—Sucker Mugglehead—Smoker of Mexican loco weed Maple sugar—A refined sap Monkey—Chump Moll—Woman Magazine—Crook’s term for six months to a year in jail Matrimony—A word or a sentence Main street judge—Male appraiser on a windy corner Melt the iceberg—Hold me a little tighter Monday furs—Ermine bought on the installment plan Main stem—Main line of a railroad according to hobos Maverich--Stolen calf in ranch terms Main squeeze—Best girl Mad money—Coin of a flapper who expects to have to walk back Make a noise like a trunk—Express yourself N Needle work—Story of a drug addict New set of threads—New suit of clothes No soap—Can’t talk business Nothing cooking—Nothing doing November sheik—Turkey Nickel nurser—One who has a passion for seeing that his nickels don’t stray Nix—Don’t Newspaper—Crook’s term for thirty days in jail Nance—Sissy Negroes in a snowstorm—Raisins and Rice O On the shelf—Pawnshop Ostrich party—Necking party Open the four of them—Admonition to a person wearing glasses to pay attention Onion—One who tells sad stories that cause others to weep Office cat—Office gossip One on the city—A glass of water Out of the picture—In the wrong company Oil burner—Student One burning moment—A spinster’s first kiss Order of flats—Dish of wheat cakes One-way pockets—Pockets of tightwad One-straw guy—A fellow who never treats another to a soda Open as a safe—A spy On tick—On credit Oil can—One who cannot grease the slides to popularity On the cuff—Charge it Oh, you Kid!—Corespondent One-half check—Fifty cents One-half yard—Fifty dollars One-half grand—Five hundred dollars On the up-and-up—Nearer heaven and squarer business On the arm—Something for nothing in show business Old pump—Heart Outlaw—Runaway horse P Pop ’em up—Set up the drinks Pick up the marbles—You win, you are right Pulling a boner—Doing the wrong thing Paper moocher—One who reads newspapers picked up on cars, subways, etc. Put in the know—Enlighten, make clear Put out the lamp—Soak in the eye Paint the Hicks—Show a little life in a small town Pickled—Drunk Pumphouse—Insane asylum Pie face—One with a lot of crust Possum belly—Tent stake box carried under circus railroad cars Pavey—Man who peddles goods on the sidewalk Put the finger on him—Arrest him Put that in your pipe and smoke it—Your brand doesn’t suit me Pipe the rock—See the diamond Pre-Volstead—Drunk Putting away his ice—Pawning his diamond Punk—Child in show business Poke—Pocketbook Plaster—Attachment on a show Paper-hanger’s daughter—Wall-flower Punk—Bread Pass my disposition—Sugar, of course Padlocked mama—Married woman Plumb line your rags—Get your pants pressed Popular as DeRussey’s Lane—Lots of crabapple sweeties Pianola—Young lady who only plays when there’s a roll in sight Pair of tights—Two drunks Pipe the lid—Look at the hat Pass out of the picture—In no state for another drink Pie wagon—Patrol wagon Put an egg in your shoe and beat it—Run along Park your dogs awhile—Rest your feet Put and take—Put on your hat and take a walk Pig’s hips and cackle-berries—Ham and eggs Punching the bag—Incessant talking Plus four guy—Golf player Pass the lumber—Pass the toothpicks Part his hair—Club him on the head Pencil-pusher—Office employee Parlor athlete—A frequent caller at young ladies’ homes Put out a stop signal—Detain a Marathon talker Pig and Whistle—Pork and beans Passing the buck—Shifting the blame for responsibility Pig in a blanket—Sausage in a roll Put on a new record—Change the subject Pipe down—Shut up Put on the feed bag—Sit down to the table Put into circulation again—Stop going out with him Parlor duty—Staying home and petting Pin feather—Young girl under sixteen Perpendicular your outline—Reduce a little Paw Paw Indian—Petter Pick and banjo—Pick and shovel to a hobo Q Qute—Twenty-five cents R Ring a doorbell—Request to say something Rubbing it in—Recalling poignant memories Remove the rubber band—Spend the paper money Regular Humpty-Dumpty—On the fence Red Mike and Violets—Corn Beef and Cabbage Roll your hoop—Keep moving Rum Hound—Prohibition agent Remove one’s gloves—Wash one’s hands Ritzy—Highclass in a snobbish way Rubber dime—Counterfeit money Raw egg—One vulgar in his remarks Rubber doll—One who stretches the truth Right off the bat—First hand Racket—The art of cheating Rag—Tent in a circus Rumble—A tip-off to the police Red one—Big engagement where show company can make lots of money Razor back—Roughneck or stake driver in a circus Round up—Arrest of a hobo gang Rolls her own—Pushes a baby carriage Rib roast—Lecture from the wife Regular cut-up—A surgeon S Spook—Mind reader Sand spider—A bathing suit censor Stop the clock—Take your time Snake’s Arm bands—Very good and unusual Sky juice—Water Step on it—Hurry Swell dish—Very beautiful girl Smell wood burning—Realizing that someone is trying to think Shake a leg—Hurry up Shove off—Get out Social irrigation—Little drink Shut your trap—Close your mouth Sub Marine—Marine on a subway Strut your stuff—Show your best wares Stamp fighter—An office boy Sling the institution—Put down your book Say so—Be positive of a fact Slip us five—Request for a handshake Smack on the kisser—Hit on the mouth Stow the gab—Stop talking See you some Sunday during the week—Never again Spill the beans—Tell the secret Strike oil—What every gold digger wants to do Swim the channel—Get across over the footlights Sling the dope—Tell all about it Sidewalk sailor—Man who walks his girl to and from the show Sling a mean line—Talk persuasively Sheika—Sheik’s sweetie She likes to muscle—hug Slip of the pen—Runaway pig Steam roller—Heavy spender Sea dust—Salt Shoving the queer—Passing counterfeit money She’s a high flyer—Hang onto your pocketbook She knows her onions—She knows how to avoid them Screen actor—Mosquito Sidewalk surveyor—Drunken man Speak United States—Explain yourself Six o’clock straight—Tall and slim person Sugar Daddy—Girl’s lollipop for the evening Swell baseball team—Nine on a side—mustache Smoking around the collar—Getting angry Sardine bus—New York subway Side-door Pullman—Freight car Storm bound—Going to call on a lady friend See me kid—Apache to his midinette when the check comes around Shut off the waterworks—Cease weeping Snow again, I didn’t get your drift—Please repeat Sleeping time—One year in Jail Stow your gab—Stop talking So’s your Ol’ Antennae—Expression to disconcert radio liars Storm and strife—Female in matrimony Stringer—Big touch on a victim Spread the salve—Soft, conciliatory talk Sizzling Spitz—Hot dog Soft peddle—Request for less noise Small change—Person of not such high standing Snap into it—Wake up Straw pump—One fond of sodas See you in church—Later, but of course, not there Shut off the loud speaker—Stop talking Sugar—Money Slip the dincher—Give one a half-smoked cigarette Strong joint—Unfair or cheater’s game Squawk—A tip-off to the police Slip—Shot of dope Slum—Phoney merchandise Scorf—To eat Shill—Come-on man in any skin game Sawbuck—Ten dollar bill Shoo-flies—Detectives in parlance of the road Sneakers—Rubber-soled shoes Stick—A confederate who wins or loses at dealer’s will Spring—To be released from arrest Set joint—Unbeatable game Soft—Paper money Sail—Lose all your money Second fiddler—Fellow who sticks around with a spooning couple Sunkist lemon—Beautiful but— Show a leg—No need to be addressed to flappers—but means “get up” She rolls her own—Because she will let no one else roll them for her Space to let—A vacant stare Struggle buggy—Flivver on installment plan Skating rink for flies—Baldheaded man Stop rocking the boat—Go get a divorce Slip us a kiss—Can I have a piece of your candy? Stool-pigeon—One who informs on pals to keep out of trouble himself Sit-down—Hobo talk for meal Slipping something over—Pulling on a sweater Swallow a battery—Get a sparkle out of life She’s an angel—He can borrow from her Stake—Hobo’s wages—when he works Skinners—Bell hops according to hobos Sun-fishing—When a horse bucks, jumps sideways and turns about S. O. S.—Same old story See you in the funny sheet—A humorous way of saying goodbye Stop bending my ear—Stop lying So’s your old man—Impudent comeback Sit down, you’re rocking the boat—Arbitrary closing of an argument Snap out of it—Rebuke for self-pity T Throw the bull—Lend a nickel Talking through the hat—Talking nonsense Throwing the oil—Telling glibe falsehoods Take a tuck on your tongue—Don’t talk so much Tell it to Sweeney—Expression of doubt as to veracity Turn over the nickel and give the Indian a chance—Leave the bull alone Throw a rock—Request of newlywed husband for wife’s biscuit Thanks for the buggy ride—You’re crazy Take it on the Lamm—Run away Tin-type—Old fashioned without having a beard Two shakes of a lamb’s tail—Right away Tickled silly—State of happiness Tickling the ivories—Playing the piano; brushing the teeth Take the air—Begone Tin Lizzie—A girl sixteen who has never been kissed Tulip Gardner—An experienced kisser Turn in—Go to bed Take him over the jumps—Believe everything he tells you Teeth in the law—Bloodhounds Two cackles and a grunt—Ham and eggs Take a flyer—Take a chance Two babies in a cradle—Two oysters on the half shell Traveling like a flea—Gone to the dogs Take the glue off your shoes—Stop hanging around here Toreador—A good salesman Throw your optics on this—Look at this Tomato receiver—Singer Turn two pictures to the wall—Fry two eggs over Take a sample—Take a kiss Tear off a Rip Van Winkle—Take a long sleep Tell your story walking—Get out Tune off that station—Change the conversation Take with a grain of salt—Treat lightly and advisedly Tell the world—Mean it Turn out—Get up Tenement house disturber—An accordion player Tell it to the Marines—They heard it in France That’s the office!—Signal for skin game artists to close up and move on because of approach of police Tears—Onions The Gate—Crook’s term for freedom The bird—Ridicule in English Tax—Five cents The Breaks—When Lady Fortune is riding beside you Third rail—Girl you can’t touch Tin cow—Evaporated milk Two piece outfit—Prisoner’s ball and chain Tell it to the Judge—Choking off a sob story That’s out!—Rendered non-existent Teacher’s pet—Of course they do Top off a horse—When they say “Ride ’im, cowboy.” Towel—Dry agent Top—Spinster Teddy tickle—Short mustache This queen always follows the Jack—A gold digger Take-off—Hop-off of an airplane U Useful as a Blacksmith in Detroit—Ask Henry Ford Under new management—Married Up the river—To Sing Sing V Vaccinated with a Victrola needle—Prone to talk frequently Veterinary expert—One who follows the horses W White elephant—Fellow who buys a girl a soda and squeezes it out of her afterward Waxed floor hound—Young man fond of dancing Wild wave jockey—Three-mile bootlegger Whispering soprano—Gossip Woman’s crowning glory—Rolling pin Wrinkle—A flapper’s mother Write it on the ice—Let it melt away Well-heeled—Has plenty of money Wooden Kimona—Case for cold storage Warm weather morals—Permits loving to keep warm Wash out on the line—Train of thought held up Wet the whistle—Take a drink Wet sock—Old fashioned Wet blanket—Person who dampens the ardor of the party Wearing a high hat—Acting like one of the 400 Wooden nickels—Suggestions for wooden heads Wring out the dish rag—An order of soup Water on the brain which froze—Everything slips his mind When the ghost walks—Referring to days when the Eagle screams White line—Hobo term for alcohol Wield a wicked lamp—Have a naughty eye Weekly stipend—Husband Will you take a chance?—Will you take a drink? War bag—Cowboy’s sack for clothes Wide open spaces—Collegiate pants Worry like glue—Stick around Wash—Wind thrown back from an airplane propeller Water Lily—A young girl with water in her cranium Y Your ears don’t lap over—You heard me Yanks are coming—Dentist reaching for his extractor You must be twins—Polite way of saying one couldn’t be so dumb Your old man must have been a furniture maker—Delicate way of complimenting a young woman on a well-turned leg Yard of pork—Three pig’s feet Yowl box—Radio Yard—One hundred dollars Your baby’s a scream—Meaning it does You’d be surprised—Admitting entire satisfaction with results Z Zigzag in the steeple—Demented Zoo—A saxophone