AMERICANISMS (ante). This term can no longer be used as a reproach. It must be taken as indicative merely of the usage of the English language in a new English-speaking nation, with no reference to the question as to the propriety and worthiness of the new usage. While many A. bear the stamp of vulgarity, some spring from an undeniable necessity, and still others graft on the old stock a welcome grace and strength. Not all A. are strictly American; some are early English usages retained, or revived after the parent country had dropped them. It is now conceded that by the refined classes of people in some regions of the United States the English tongue is used in a purity and propriety not excelled in any portion of Great Britain.
The following are some of the more widely known A. Approbate, for approve; "I approbate," etc. Bad, in the sense of ill. Baggage, for luggage. Balance, for remainder. Boards, for " deals ;" in England " boards" has an application more general. Bogus, bad or counterfeit. Border, a strip of greensward along a wall or path; in England called "edging." Boss, from Dutch "bans," superintendent of labor; used by boys especially to all men not known or called by name. Buggy, a four-wheeled vehicle; in England, two-wheeled. Buncombe, empty or unnoticed talk; long ago a member of congress from a North Carolina county of that name was rallied for making set speeches to nearly empty chairs, when tie replied that he did not care for hearers—he was " talking for Buncombe," i.e., for effect on his personal constituents. Bureau, a chest of drawers. Calculate, for think; "I calculate I can do it." Calico, in the United States, printed cotton; in England, imprinted. Caption, heading or title. Clever, good-natured. Conclude, in the sense of determine; " I conclude I will go." In this connection, for " in connection with this subject." Corn, maize only; in England, grain iu general. Creek, a stream more than a brook and less than a river; in England, a small arm of the sea. Creole, properly people of European blood born in Spanish American territory; but used to mean natives of the south, especially of Louisiana, tinctured with negro blood. Deadhead, one who travels on passes, etc.; any one, who does not pay; the verb "to deadhead" is sometimes used. Dry Goods, all sorts of haberdasher's wares. Dress, for gown. Elect, for choose; " he elected to take the land." Endorse, for sanction or approve. Eventuate, for result. Expect, for know or believe, as "I expect it was too late." Fall, autumn. Fancy, new, peculiar, desirable, or showy, as " fancy silks," " fancy note paper," "fancy horses;" applied to stocks it means those not in regular standing on the exchange; also it indicates an assortment of light wares, as "fancy stores." Fleshy, stout. Freshet, a
sudden rise of water. Gerrymander, an arrangement of the bounds of electoral districts to favor party success; from Elbridge Gerry, who first practised the trick while governor of Massachusetts. Hack, a hackney coach; in England, a horse for casual hire. /To/d on, stop; probably from German "Halt an." Homely, plain-featured; in English, home. like or unadorned. Improve, to clear wild land and establish farms. improvements, buildings usually, but any addition which one has made tolls place or property. Loan, as a verb for lend. Lobby, verb, to influence legislation, generally in an improper way. Locate, to settle upon, or to select a place. Mad, for angry. Mail, for post; we " mail " a letter, the Englishman " posts" it. Notify, to give notice to; in England, "to make known." Obnoxious, offensive. On, for in; we say " he lives on Tenth street," the English say "lie lives in." Pants (vulgarism) or pantaloons, for trousers. Pipelaying, procuring fraudulent voters; when the Croton water was introduced into New York hundreds of men were brought from Philadelphia just before an election, ostensibly to lay water-pipes, but really to vote where they had no legal right to vote. Pond, a natural, in England an artificial, pool. Railroad, in " railway ;" and locomotive for the English "engine." Rapids, river currents broken by shallows. Reckon, for "suppose" or " think;" as "I reckon that will do." Reliable, for trustworthy. Ride, either on a horse or in a vehicle; in England, restricted to horseback. Rile (English provincial roil), to stir up, to make angry. Rooster, cock, or male barnyard fowl. Sick, for any illness; the English usually restrict it to illness of stomach. Skedaddle, to run away. Sleigh, any sledge or vehicle on runners. Span, a pair, Stage, a stage-coach. Stoop, Dutch for the entrance to a house. Store, for a place where things are sold; the English generally say " shop." Suspenders, braces. Suspicion, occasionally used as a verb, to suspect. Switch, to change cars to another track ; English "shunt." where travelers are lodged; in England, where liquor is sold but travelers are not entertained. we buy "way-tickets" or "through-tickets" on railroads, etc.; the Englishman is "Looked." Timber, forest or grove. Transient person, one not remaining long in the place. Venison, the flesh of the deer; in England, wild meat in general. Wagon, or wagon as a verb, " the goods were wagoned over." Will, for "shall," to express an expectation. Woods, English a wood.