skiffle, v. (1935)

Amy West medievalist at W-STS.COM
Thu Dec 29 14:57:19 UTC 2005


Any relationship between this verb and the British noun for a type of
folk music?

---Amy West

>Date:    Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:38:48 -0500
>From:    Benjamin Zimmer <bgzimmer at BABEL.LING.UPENN.EDU>
>Subject: skiffle, v. (1935)
>
>skiffle, v. 'enjoy oneself at a skiffle party (= rent party)'
>
>1935 _Chicago Defender_ 28 Sep. 2/3 The squawk comes when the young
>missus wants to get off to herself where she can "skiffle" when hubby
>is at work.
>[HNP Doc ID 761067352]
>
>1935 _Chicago Defender_ 28 Dec. 4/3 Kids ditching grade school to
>"skiffle" at "Doggie" and Thelma Hunter's house at 37th and Vernon
>avenue.
>[HNP Doc ID 761124702]
>
>(Both cites from Dan Burley's "Back Door Stuff" column.)
>
>--Ben Zimmer



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