Soda fountain slang

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     More from the WESTERN CONFECTIONER.

SODA FOUNTAIN SLANG
     October 1937, pg. 26, col. 1:
_Fifty Years a Fountain Clerk_
     BEFORE the turn ofthe century, when soda fountains looked like the
old-time bedroom bureau and malted milks were shaken by hand like lemonade,
Ernest Fleming, veteran soda clerk with Walgreen Co., was just a cub at the
business.
     This month he will mark his fiftieth year behind the fountain, 12 of
them with Walgreen's, at whose 63rd St. and Stony Island Ave. (Col. 2--ed.)
store in Chicago he is now employed.
     (Col. 3--ed.)
     A short, wiry man, his flaxen hair slightly streaked with gray, Fleming
is somewhat regretful at the decay of the tradition of soda fountain slang,
then used by waitresses in calling their order to soda fountain men.
     According to the "code," "in" meant a soda, chocolate if otherwise
unidentified; the number "five" a root beer; "10," a coca cola; "15," Green
RIver; "21," limeade; "31," lemonade; and "41," orangeade.  The number "89"
meant that "suspicious" person--somebody who might try to chisel on his
check--was in the store, while "69" signified a pretty girl.

ROCKY ROAD
     April 1925, "Pickin's From Portland," pg. 57, col. 2:
The Rose Gray Shoppe at East Fifty-Second and Sandy recently moved its
workroom into a new factory, occupying 27 by 95 feet in the Plummer building.
 The new plant is being used entirely for the production of fancy ice cream
and candy.  M. J. Harlan, owner of the Rose Gray, specializes on the making
of fine chocolates and home-made candies and has recently extended his sales
on his "Rocky Road" candy by a city-wide advertising campaign.  Mr. Harlan
opened the Rose Gray about two years and a half ago after having won a
reputation as a make of fine candies.  Mr. Harlan, with the help of several
clerks, manages the salesroom.

TEASER
     December 1923, pg. 42, col. 1:
_"Teaser" Campaign Tells World of "Why Mabel"_
     WHAT are known as "teaser" advertising campaigns are old as the hills
but when properly planned and carried out they are still very effective.

MOTOR INN (?)
     July 1924, pg. 39, col. 2:
     Perhaps the name will help stimulate business, but after all is said, it
perhaps will revert to quality and service.  Here are a few suggestions:
     ...Hot Dog...Dew Drop Inn, Stop Inn, Motor Inn, Drive Inn, Movie Inn,
Peacock Inn, Bamboo Inn, Blue Fountain Inn, VIllage Inn...

MONKEY BAR (?)
     August 1925, pg. 11.  An advertisement for "Monkey Bar" by Brecht Candy
Co., Denver, Colorado, shows a monkey water-skiing.
     September 1925, pg. 78, col. 1.  An advertisement for "Monkey Bar" shows
a monkey bicycling.  He is getting energy by eating the chocolate bar.
     (OED has "monkey bars"--jungle gym--from 1955.  Perhaps the chocolate
bar and the advertisements had an influence?--ed.)

FROG'S ANKLE (?)
     July 1923, pg. 36, col. 2:
Do you pay strict attention to the language your clerks use?  I was attending
to the needs of one customer when a clerk next to me said, "My Gawd, but just
look at the crush coming through that door.  And pipe the rose hat.  It sure
is the frog's ankle."