hash-house lingo (1889)

[Michael McKernan]

Benjamin Zimmer quoted:

>Potatoes had as many names as a Spanish princess or a bank cashier in
>Canada. Here are a few of them: Spuds, Murphies, T.D.'s, ancient orders or
>A.O.H.'s and St. Clairs.

In case you don't know, 'A.O.H.' is the Ancient Order of Hibernians,
(expanding on the previous 'ancient orders,' which has a nice,
double-meaning twist to it in this context.  Makes me wonder if there
wasn't another term--for what, I don't know--'holy orders.')

Michael McKernan