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Civil War Slang
This was making the rounds on several of the lists and Chris Partch was kind enough to tell me it came from the
National Park Services site. Thanks Chris.Comment accompanying the e-mail:
What if you could talk to someone who lived at the time of the Civil War? YOU would probably have a hard time understanding some of the things they said.
(Perhaps it depends on where you live or where you grew up whether you know what these words/phrases mean, but many of them are still in use today). Let's step back now and hear what they had to say.
|
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer |
person capable of doing many things. |
|
Sheet Iron Crackers |
Hardtack |
|
Sardine Box |
cap box |
|
Bread Basket |
Stomach |
|
Greenbacks |
Money |
|
Graybacks |
Southern Soldiers or lice |
|
Arkansas Toothpick |
large knife |
|
Pepperbox |
Pistol |
|
Zu-Zu: Zuoave |
Soldiers |
|
Fit to be tied |
Angry |
|
Horse Sense |
Smart |
|
Top Rail |
#1 or first class |
|
Hunkey Dorey |
great! |
|
Greenhorn, Bugger, Skunk |
Officers |
|
Snug as a bug |
comfortable, cozy |
|
Sawbones |
Surgeon |
|
Skedaddle |
run, scatter |
|
Hornets |
Bullets |
|
Bully |
hurrah! or yeah! |
|
Possum |
a buddy or pal |
|
Blowhard |
big shot |
|
Fit as a fiddle |
in good shape, healthy |
|
Uppity |
Conceited |
|
Scarce as hen's teeth |
rare or scarce |
|
Grab a root |
have dinner or potato |
|
Tight, Wallpapered |
Drunk |
|
Bark Juice, Tar Water, Nokum Stiff or Joy juice |
Liquor |
|
Hard Case |
Tough |
|
Bluff |
Cheater |
|
Jailbird |
Criminal |
|
Hard Knocks |
beaten up |
|
Been through the mill |
done a lot |
|
Quick-step |
Diarrhea |
|
Played Out |
worn out or tired |
|
Toeing the mark |
doing the job |
|
Jonah |
bad luck |
|
Goobers |
Peanuts |
|
Sunday Soldiers, Kid glove boys, Parlor Soldiers |
insulting words to a Soldier |
|
Fresh Fish |
raw recruits |
|
Whipped |
beaten |
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