OT: copasetic 1920

Joel S. Berson Berson at ATT.NET
Sun Jan 17 14:20:49 UTC 2010


At 1/17/2010 07:54 AM, Stephen Goranson wrote:
>Chicago Tribune [provides a heading for a real classified ad in The Times,
>Thursday, Jul 22, 1920; pg. 4; Issue 42469; col B]
>
>A LINE O' TYPE OR TWO
>Hew to the Line, let the quips fall where they may
>....
>VERY COPASETIC
>[From the London Times]
>Good position--French lady, cooks herself, speaks English, beautiful climate;
>exchange of money favourable; good references.Dejardin, 15, Porte Gayole,
>Boulogne

Reminds me of slave advertisements in the 18th-century American
newspapers -- e.g. (made up of bits and pieces, but entirely
possible):  "Very likely Negro wench, used to household work, speaks
English well, has had the small pox."

Joel

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org



More information about the Ads-l mailing list