Gism (1901): something odd (UNCLASSIFIED)

Mark Mandel thnidu at GMAIL.COM
Thu Sep 20 01:01:53 UTC 2007


I know the vegetable meaning of "poke", but this is the only connection I
know of for "gism".

m a m

On 9/19/07, Mullins, Bill AMRDEC <Bill.Mullins at us.army.mil> wrote:
>
> Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
> Caveats: NONE
>
>
> >
> > Um, guys?  Openly published 1901. In Philadelphia. About
> > refined ladies of the previous century.
> >
> >   A mess of "poke" may not be what you think.
>
>
> Poke Salat?  (Poke salad)
>
> >
> >   Whatever standard sense of "nectar" is intended, my guess
> > is that "gism" was an undignified term for some or any kind
> > of liquid or "juice."
> >
> >   My guess too is that "Bellespore" is the name of the
> > estate, possibly meaning "beautiful sowing."
> >
> >
> Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
> Caveats: NONE
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org



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