On this subject, many of the sci-fi authors of the 40s-70s used the tramp steamer setting for their interplanetary stories. Andre Norton's "Solar Queen" books took place on such a vessel. In E.C. Tubb's "Dumarest of Terra" saga the titular hero knocked about the galaxy in unreliable tramps...
I believe the fiddle you describe is what used to be called a "kit." Dancing-masters who went to their patrons' houses in the 18th century used them, since they had to visit several houses each day to deliver lessons. Upper-class people didn't go to dancing schools, the tutors came to them. They...
One of the great things about the old department-store candy counters (that and the wonderful roasting-nuts smell) was that around Halloween, you could get sacks of just orange and licorice jellybeans. Those were the only flavors I really liked. I still do.
When I was a boy in Kalamazoo, MI, one year the town hosted a convocation of the Knights of the Road, i.e. hobos. The president of the convocation was interviewed and he explained some definitions. "Hobos" were migratory workers. "Tramps" were migratory nonworkers. "Bums"were stationary...
Watch the Elvis film "King Creole" (1958) especially the opening "Crawfish" number. It's prized among N.O. aficianados because it was filmed in the French Quarter back when poor people actually lived there. Very different from the Quarter now.
Speaking of rural California and obsolete terms, in the small towns of the California farming zones the word used to express what the rest of the country calls a "redneck" is still "okie."
In British theater there is a "dialect"called "Mummerset." It's a sort of generic Brit-rural speech that is not exactly native to any region but just sounds sort of vaguely countrified to urban audiences. Hollywood and television use a similar rube-redneck-hick rural accent that's sort of...
No matter how attractive I might find nubile young women, I could never get past knowing how carnally disgusted they would feel about getting it on with me. Sociopaths, of course, don't suffer from this disability.
Skydog757's post reminded me of the ultimate Mother From Hell, Angela Lansbury in The Manchurian Candidate (1962). In a movie full of despicable people, she was a standout.
I think it would be more correct to say, "born in the 1800s." Technically, 1900 was the last year of the 19th century and there may be people still alive born in that year.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.