Nickname "Spike" (1894)

[Jonathan Lighter]

"Spike" was a common nickname for tough guys in pulp literature. Here's a very early ex.:

  1894 _Phila. Inquirer_ (Dec. 25) 3: SPIKE STRUCK IT RICH...."Spike" was racetrack tout, or rather he had been.  Spike was lean and angular.

  JL


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