Slow as Molasses (1854); Dolly Varden Pie (1872)
Bapopik at AOL.COM
Bapopik at AOL.COM
Sat Oct 5 20:28:05 UTC 2002
Sorry for all the typing mistakes lately, but as usual, I'm feeling pretty down. Also, I'm pressed for time on these library computers.
JIGGY--I don't often do rap terms because they're covered in the online Rap Dictionary, www.rapdict.com or something like that.
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SLOW AS MOLASSES
Not in DARE, not in the RHHDAS, not in OED, not in Christine Ammer's FRUITCAKES & COUCH POTATOES (1995). Face it--I'm making this one up.
July 1854, NORTH AMERICAN REVIEW (MOA--Cornell database), pg. 150:
"Yes," was the drawling reply, "but he is--as--slow--as--cold molasses."
9 December 1854, NEW YORK TIMES, pg. 8:
"Yes; but he is as slow as _cold molasses_."
9 April 1870, HARPER'S WEEKLY, pg. 238:
You're slow as molasses in the winter time.
27 April 1889, HARPER'S WEEKLY, pg. 330:
Everybody knew he was slower than molasses in January, like those Pennsylvania Dutch.
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DOLLY VARDEN PIE
21 September 1872, HARPER'S WEEKLY, pg. 735:
Apropos to the season, an exchange gives a recipe for a "Dolly Varden" pie:
"Take about four yards of light dough, gather it up in tucks and flounces, crimp the edges, and fill up with fruit; then lay on the over-skirt, fasten it with buttons of dough connected with frills...
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