= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Word of the Day:
LAMSTER (n. pl. -S)
Definition(s):
- (n.) a fugitive from the law; an escapee; one who is trying to avoid being caught
Useful info for word game players:
- Front hooks: (none)
- Back hooks: -S
- Anagrams: ARMLETS, TRAMELS
- Longer extensions: (none)
- Wraparounds: (none)
- Other Spellings: LAMISTER
- Related Forms: (none)
Epilogue:
It will probably come as no surprise that criminal argot and slang have enriched American English, too. Late 19th century and early 20th century gangster culture, for example, popularized terms such as “bum rap” (a false accusation or undeserved blame), to CON (to deceive, short for “confidence”), and RACKET (a dishonest scheme).
Similarly, LAM gained the meaning of “in flight”, as in the expression “on the lam,” as well as a verb sense meaning “to escape, to flee.” One who went on the lam was called a LAMSTER or a LAMISTER. LAM had previously been a Middle English word meaning “to beat soundly,” and it is not clear how or why it developed a new meaning in the backstreets of America, where a special lingo and manner of speaking developed. But what’s with all the questions, see? Maybe you should just mind your potatoes, see? Yeah, clam up and scram!
Recapping this week’s words:
POTLATCH, OUTLIVER, BUCKRA, and LAMSTER
Also mentioned in passing:
BANJO, BLUFF, CATFISH, CHEECHAKO, CHINOOK, CON, CORN, FRONTIER, GOOBER, GROUNDHOG, GUMBO, LAM, MAIZE, MUCKAMUCK, POTLUCK, QUAHOG, RACKET, RATTLESNAKE, SALTCHUCK, SKOOKUM, TYEE, and YAM
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
No comments:
Post a Comment