"Dude" article (1912)

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   Here is that "dude" article.  Again, I don't think PUTNAM'S MAGAZINE existed in February 1876.


   A DISQUISITION ON SLANG.
MAJOR BEN C. TRUMAN.. Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File). Los Angeles, Calif.: Jul 28, 1912. p. IV12 (1 page):
    "Dude," an American slang word which came into use about 1880, and passed away almost entirely before 1900, and meant to define an overdressed and underbrained young man, has been credited by Brewer's Phrase Book to Hermann Oelrichs, a former New York and San Francisco clubman, who married Tessie Fair and a dozen or more of "Slippery Jim's" millions some twenty or more years ago.  Oelrichs, himself, once informed Ed Townsend and other members of the Bohemian Club of San Francisco that he and another member of the Union Club of New York were one day looking from a window and saw an over-dressed mincing little fellow passing and they together hummed an accompaniment to the youth's walk, thus: "Du-da-de, du-du-du-de," and that then he remarked: "Good enough; dude is the proper name for it."  I have been informed, however, that the word as slang first appeared in Putnam's Magazine in February, 1876.  It undoubtedly came from the old English word "duds," in earlier times spelled "dudes."  Shakespeare, in "Merry Wives of Windsor," writes of a "bucket of dudes," meaning a basketful of clothes ready for washing.  Thackeray writes of one of his characters: "Her dresses were wonderful, her bonnets marvelous.  Few women could boast such dudes."  It is obvious that the latter-day slang word has to do with clothes, and yet Oelrichs's story need not be disbelieved; although, of course, it may have been made up to fit, which it does, cleverly.  SHortly after the use of the word "dude," "dudine" appeared as a term of contempt or ridicule for a little overdressed young woman.  But the word was infelicitous and far-fetched, and "died a-bornin'."  It may be observed that the passing of the word dude was consequent upon the passing of the thing called dude.  Apropos, there were many stories current during the days of this character, one of which was a s follows: "Pa1" exclaimed a little chap, to his father; "does God make the dudes?"  "Yes, my son," was the reply.  "Well, God likes to have a little fun, Himself, once in a while,
 don't he?" added the child, laughing.


(This is one of about three "disquisition" articles on slang--ed.)