"Doesn't know from sic'em"

[Sam Clements]

I can find cites as early as 1906(McClure's Magazine) which would indicate
that it was only "doesn't know sic 'em."  The 1906 cite was a Western cowboy
story.  Sounded more like a Southernism or Westernism to me.

Sam Clements

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim Parish" <jparish at SIUE.EDU>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, November 06, 2005 12:17 PM
Subject: "Doesn't know from sic'em"


> On another list, an acquaintance brought up the phrase "doesn't know
> from sic'em". She isn't sure of the spelling of the last, and doesn't know
> the origin in any case, though she suspects a German or New England
> origin, probably 19th century. Does anyone here have information on
> the (usual?) spelling or etymology?
>
> Jim Parish
>