My two favorite books in the world are Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume I, A-G and Volume II, H-O by J.E. Lighter. They are hideously expensive and ludicrously funny. I love them. And the world might not see the final volumes in print ever because of some royalty issues, plus they each cost $80, so y’know they cost a lot of money to print. So out of the kindness of my heart, I’d like to share my pricy educational smut with Blogtown. This week’s slang is brought to you by the letter “A.”
absquattle v. [shortening and alter. of absquatulate] to abscond or depart.
1842: “So Governor Dorr has run away again—fairly absquattled—sword and all.” 1848: “Let’s licker one more round and then absquattle.”
break out into assholes to become thoroughly terrified—used derisively—usu. considered vulgar.
1978: “But if we catch you again you better not run the same shit on us, cause if you do, we’ll make both your faces break out into assholes.” 1979: “Was he scared? Man, he broke out into assholes and shit himself to death.” 1982: Rock jargon for being real scared, real terrified.
avocados n pl. a woman’s breasts.
1932: “How’s that for a shape? Looka them avocados!”
‘Til next week, slangmongers.
I can only assume that “avocados” refers to those with teardrop-shaped breasts, just as “melons” is clearly for the Dolly Parton-esque.
“And the world might not see the final volumes in print ever because of some royalty issues…”
There was only going to be one more volume of this: P-Z. It’s been quite a while, so I don’t think it will see print. Sad to see a good multivolume work never to reach completion.
Hi Geyser, I think there are two more volumes on the table, based on this article. But who knows if those will ever happen. How will I add to my Scrabble score without Q, Y, and Z slang?
Thanks for the link! I found a listing on Amazon for Vol. 3 P-Z, so I think that’s how it was announced to the trade before getting shelved. I’m glad to read that Vols. 3 and 4 still seem to be in the works. I wonder if Lighter will be involved at all and if they’ll be of the same depth and quality.
I ordered Vol. 1 today on the basis of your post.