Slang & everyday speech in the 1800's

acknowledge the corn - admit the truth; to confess

bee – gathering of friends to carry out a specific, time-consuming task

chirk – cheerful

doggery – a cheap drinking establishment; a dive

to see the elephant – to see it all, sometimes pertaining to war

not one’s funeral – not one's business; not one's concern

gum – lies; exaggerations

horn – a glass of liquor or ale

I snore – socially acceptable substitute for "I swear"

little end of the horn – short end of the stick; to come out of a situation disadvantaged.

mosey – to saunter or shuffle along

nohow – not at all

old orchard – whiskey

Philadelphia lawyer - credited with nearly superhuman intellect by the masses. [1803: It would puzzle a dozen Philadelphia lawyers to unriddle the conduct of the democrats. Balance, November 15, p.363]

reckon – to think or guess

Sam Hill – euphemism for the devil

sockdologer – a powerful punch or blow

squatter – one who settles on land without proper title

varment or varmint – a wild animal or objectionable person

Virginia fence – a staggering drunk was said to make this (a zig-zagging fence. when he walked.

whitewash – to gloss over or hide one's shortcomings.

Yankee notions – things made in New England, made widely popular by traveling Yankee peddlars.