Gig; Big Apple Cocktail (March 1938)

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GIG

     The RHHDAS (using OEDS) has "gig" from 1939: "Orig. _Jazz_, to play
single engagements as a jazz musician or (later) other entertainers;
(_hence_) to have employment."
1939 in OEDS: To gig around meant to play for small parties, weekend
engagements, and the like.
     From a story about Harlem's Alhambra Grill in BAR & GRILL JOURNAL, March
1938, pg. 21, col. 1:

     When the call goes out for "gigs" (one night entertainers--usually
needed to liven a party on Park Avenue), agents generally call the Alhambra,
where there is always a formidable array of talent from tap dancers to
crooners.  Bill (Bo Jangels)(sic) Robinson, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, Cab
Calloway, Pigmeat and other eminent professionals often drop in to exchange
some idle shop chatter.  A nice place this...

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BIG APPLE COCKTAIL (continued)

    On the same page of the BAR & GRILL JOURNAL, March 1938, pg. 21, col. 3:

_The Big Apple Cocktail Latest Sensation_
     The Big Apple cocktail has come to town.  The new cocktail has become
sensational overnight.
     Its success and present tremendous growth of popularity is, of course,
attributed to the Big Apple dance, now the most popular in the dancing world
of this country, being exhibited and practiced everywhere.
     The Big Apple cocktail is made as follows:
     1 jigger of Heublein's Apple & Honey,
     1/2 (scant) tsp. powdered sugar.
        Put in cocktail shaker with plenty of ice and shake well.
     Now comes the most ingenious method of serving a cocktail as has yet
been devised.  A large red apple is used as a container in which this
cocktail is to be served.  A slice is removed from the top of the apple and
saved to act later as a cover.  Most of the contents of the apple are quickly
scooped out, and a small slice removed from the bottom so that the apple will
stand upright when served on a tray.  Into the apple is now placed the
chilled cocktail.  A small V is notched in the cover, which is placed back on
the apple and two straws inserted before serving.
     One can easily imagine the novelty of this new Big Apple cocktail,
originated by the House of Heublein, and can easily understand the reason for
its immediate acclaim.
     It is no new product with them, having been an exceedingly popular
beverage liqueur before the days of prohibition.