[Ads-l] More skateboard language

[Ben Zimmer]

We had a thread in Jan. 2022 where Fred presented a cite from Mar. 1956
about the kind of "skateboarding" being done in the Isle of Wight. As I
noted then, "The Isle of Wight version involved putting a board on a single
roller skate, sitting on the board, and rolling down a hill as if riding a
sled."

https://listserv.linguistlist.org/pipermail/ads-l/2022-January/161025.html

(Also noted therein are cites for California-style "skateboarding" from
May-June 1959.)

--bgz

On Fri, Jul 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM Steven Losie <stevenlosie at gmail.com> wrote:

> ProQuest has a couple of articles with early usages of skateboard terms:
>
> [begin quote]
> The British Isle of Wight has a riding sport that's as thrilling to the
> kids as any. It's called skate boarding and provides its young fans with
> many a thrill.
>
> [..]
>
> Young skate board fans take a curve in their stride on the Isle of Wight.
>
> [..]
>
> Riding down Hope Beach Hill, two of the skate board enthusiasts show off
> their skill in balancing.
> [end quote]
> Source: Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, April 22, 1956, p.40-41
> Article title: Sit-Down Skating
> Database: ProQuest Historical Newspapers
>
> [begin quote]
> [title]Skateboard Ban Drive Growing
>
> The campaign against skateboarding in Valley communities is mounting and a
> countrywide ban, as sought by some, would be welcomed by countless
> thousands—including a growing number of skateboarders.
>
> Skateboarding, to the uninformed, is one of the latest rages of the
> teen-age set.
> [end quote]
>
> Source: Los Angeles Times, April 29, 1962, Section K (San Gabriel Valley),
> p.14, col.1
> Article title: Skateboard Ban Drive Growing
> Author: Gene Earl
> Database: ProQuest Historical Newspapers
>
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>

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