From time to time I post words that I'm unsure of and usually readers more astute than I can help out. Well here goes again with a few more from the worlds of TV, the USA, comics, books and toys.
Gulch
Ashcan
Quarto
Folio edition
Stoop
Panhandle
Double down
Birther
Goucho
Grits
Chicken of the sea
Chow
Rosko
Java
Tootsie Roll
Plasmid
Coffin box
Birther - (The Birther Movement). Hope I understand this correctly. A movement within US politics questioning the validity of Barack Obama's birth certificate, citizenship, and in turn, his eligibility to serve as President. I only came across the term myself last night, watching an investigative documentary on BBC 2 (This World: Conspiracy Files, The Trump Dossier.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Tone. I thought it was political. Surely its a no-brainer that the President of the US is an American!
DeleteI would've thought so as well Woodsy. I guess ethical debate has an increasingly marginalised place in politics. Sadly, it seems to have been replaced by something far more malevolent.
DeleteYes, there's a mean tide rising for sure Tone.
DeleteChicken of the Sea is the tuna fish
ReplyDeleteTuna? is that a brand name or a general phrase?
Delete'Chicken of the sea' is a brand, but Tuna is the type of fish! Sailors used to refer to whitefin tuna as chicken, as the dense, pale meat reminded them of chicken back home
DeleteI know tuna is a fish but never heard of that brand. Must be one John West rejected here in the UK! I heard 'Dolphins of the Land' the other day too but can't remember what it meant either!
DeletePanhandle refers to a peninsula like the Florida one. Goucho is a South American cowboy.
ReplyDeletefor some reason I thought panhandle was something to with gold prospecting. Thanks for that and Goucho Kevin. Is Gringo related to Gaucho? A non -South American cowboy?
Deletea 'panhandler' is a desultory term for a beggar, probably appearing during the great depression and referring to either someone holding out a cup or pan for change, or for someone willing to wash pans and dishes for a few cents
Deleteso, two different words really, panhandle and panhandler. Northern cities are sadly full of beggars, many with dogs. The traditional tramp however [a hobo in the US?] is someone I never see anymore. As a kid we had a resident tramp in Ashton on Ribble called Old Tramp Joe in the Sixties.
Deletea gulch is a desert canyon or arroyo, sometimes carved out naturally by running water, or created by seismic activity.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bill. Its Gulch Junction I've heard the word in but no idea where. Did the roadrunner run down gulches whistling beep-beep?
DeleteTootsie Roll-a chewy candy a bit like taffy or caramel.The original Tootsie Roll is chocolate flavored,but they also make vanilla,orange,cherry,and lemon flavors.I ate about a dozen of them at my mother's house on Halloween Night because that's what she was giving to Trick or Treaters!
ReplyDeleteThey sound great Brian. Your Mum's so kind to locals! If they are in the UK they are only available in the UK in specialist sweet shops where they are imported and quite dear. There is another roll you have too but I can't think of the name - for settling tummy aches maybe?
DeleteI don't know of any roll for medicinal purposes, but while we are on the subject of chewy candy, I'll mention a favorite century old type of candy that got its name from the New Jersey shore,"Salt Water Taffy".No, it doesn't taste like sea water, in fact it comes in dozens of flavors.The origin of the name is an interesting story,try to find it on the internet.
ReplyDelete