Hoser (1981)

[FRITZ JUENGLING]

I remember when the MacKenzie brothers came out with their 'song' and was VERY surprised that it could be played on regular ol' radio stations.  When I was in HS and college a 'hose' was a  'penis' and a 'hoser' was a guy who used his 'hose' as often as he could with the gals.
Fritz

>>> Bapopik at AOL.COM 10/01/03 04:22PM >>>
   Allan Metcalf wants to get more Canadians involved in the ADS.  I don't
know if this post will help.
   The HDAS has a "hoser" entry.  The first citation is MACLEAN'S, 21 April
1982, with "hoser" meaning "a stupid, crude, or annoying person."  The second
definition ("an uncultivated Canadian person") is cited from 1984.
   This is what the TORONTO STAR has.


   2 November 1981, TORONTO STAR, pg. A4, col. 5:
_Trend to togues_
_beer, back bacon_
_is taking off, eh?_
(...)
   MacKenzie brothers phrases like "hoser" and their habit of wearing toques
and ear muffs while drinking beer are being imitated in living rooms and
schools across Metro.
(...)
   For parents puzzled by talk of hosers and such, Rick Moranis explained in
a telephone interview from Edmonton, where the show is taped, that "a hoser is
what you call your brother when your folks won't let you swear."


   26 November 1981, TORONTO STAR, pg. G7, col. 1 photo caption:
_Doug McKenzie/_ What a hoser, eh?


   18 February 1982, TORONTO STAR, pg. A21, col. 2:
_The German answer_
_to "hoser" question_
   Media people seem at a loss on how to define the newly created exclusive
Canadian derivative "hoser," which is vaguely explained as someone slow about
his wits.
   As a Canadian of German origin, maybe I can help.  Hose in German is
"Schlauch."  Hence a "hoser" would be known as a "Schlaucher," denoting a person
who drinks to excess, filling up as from a "Schlauch."
   And there you have it.  Hoser: One who tipples a lot--in short, a lush.
   E. GERLITZ
   Ajax


   26 February 1982, TORONTO STAR, pg. A19, col. 3:
_The simple answer_
_to "hoser" question_
   Re: The letter "The Geramn answer to 'hoser' question," Feb. 6. (Wrong
date?--ed.)
   The word "hoser," in a certain sense, isn't really new, and its origin
would seem to be simple.
   During World War II, it was commonplace to hear people using the slang
verb "to hose" in the same sense as the modern phrase "to be shafted," meaning
cheated, or treated unfairly or maliciously.  Thus we had such expressions as,
"Don't let them hose you," and "I hope I don't get hosed."
   To turn the verb "to hose" into a noun or an adjective--"You're a hoser,"
or "This hoser repairman"--is a minor readjustment.  Since the literal meaning
of hosing would be to spray with water from a hose, and particularly if this
was done to a person in a malicious or unpleasant manner.  I would suggest
that the origin of "hoser" is as simple as this.
   ERIC ADAMS
   Toronto


 (Actually, the word "hoser" is American, of Indiana dialect, and means
"Who's ear?"--ed.)