chorus-girl slang (1935)

Benjamin Zimmer bgzimmer at RCI.RUTGERS.EDU
Fri Sep 16 07:18:58 UTC 2005


http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=309&VName=HNP&did=392764131
"Glossary of Chorus Girls' 'Slanguage'" by Philip K. Scheuer
Los Angeles Times, Mar 24, 1935, p. II1/7
[...]
The terms were compiled by snooping officials of Warner Brothers,
Twentieth Century Pictures and the present arranger, and go about like
this:
AFTER-BEAT ANNIE: A girl who is late in her steps.
BAGGAGE-SMASHER: A girl with clumsy feet.
BLINKER: The camera.
BOOM-BOOM: Large camera crane used in obtaining special effects. Directors
frequently employ it just for the ride.
CAMPER: A chorus boy, especially of the effeminate type; used generally in
a derogatory sense. Ant.: See TOOTS.
CRAWLER: One who dodges rehearsals; a term of contempt, or envy.
CREAM PUFF: A chorus boy. See CAMPER.
DILLY NELL: A recalcitrant or dilatory girl dancer.
DRAW A WINNER: Get overtime money. Gen., any good fortune. Syn.: Pick a
Winner.
DUCHESS: A chorine with a fur coat or other evidence of material wealth.
There are many Duchesses.
DUCK: A flat-footed dancer.
FACTORY: Studio.
FLUFF: A baby-doll type, usually blonde.
FOOT FEVER: Term employed in director's adjuration for more "heat" in
dancing.
[cont'd on p. II3/2]
GARBO: Any star or player who is imperious or "high-hat." Often preced by
the phrase, "WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS ... ?" Derived from Greta Garbo, an
actress.
GOOBA OR GUBA: A chorus boy reputed to have "pull" with the "front office"
or others in authority.
HAS-BEEN: A borrower of money, usually male. Gen., any person who was, but
isn't.
JAIL BREAK: Time out for lunch or dinner.
JUNIOR: An assistant director. (Not to be confused with JUNIOR LAEMMLE, a
kind of producer.)
LADY ASTOR: A girl who is affected in her speech, especially one who uses
the broad "a." Also see GARBO.
MADAM PROFILE: Any girl who primps or is vain of her silhouette.
MICROBE: An undersized dancer.
MOB IT: Break formation.
NEAT PAN: Pretty complexion.
OVERLOAD: Dance on a full stomach; hence, a stomach ache.
PONY: A short, wiry dancer. (Revived obsolete term.)
POWDER PUFF: A make-up artist.
PRINCESS: Leading lady.
PUT HER IN IRONS: Keep her quiet. Director's manner of enjoining silence.
QUEEN BEE: A girl who shows off in her dancing.
ROUND OUT A CAREER: Go to lunch. Employed usually in the imperative, as
"Let's round out our careers," (i.e., eat.)
ST. VITUS: A boy who shows off in his dancing; i.e., can't keep still.
SIMON LEGREE: Any director, especially one who drives those within his
jurisdiction.
SIZZLER: A fast dance step.
SNAZZY: Scrumptious; elegant. Descriptive of any admirable object.
SOCK THE CLOCK: Punch a time-clock.
TIPSY: A toe dancer.
TOOTS: A chorus boy of the he-man type. Gen., a form of address, usually
denoting friendliness or intimacy and applicable to either sex. Ant., See
CAMPER.
WASP: Any assistant, usually a second, whose sting has been felt. Term of
opprobrium.
X-RAY: A still photograph. Used also as a verb.
ZUBBER: The cane-and-spats type of actor; one given to loud dressing.


--Ben Zimmer



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