[Ads-l] Equidating of "Bad" (= Good)

[John Baker]

It looks like the Thieves’ Dictionary may have some other antedatings. For example, I see “Dick — A sheriff,” which I take to be an antedating of the “police officer” meaning of “dick” (1905 in OED and Green). 


John Baker


> On Aug 3, 2025, at 11:39 AM, Shapiro, Fred <00001ac016895344-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
> 
> bad (OED, 12.,1897)
> 
> 1897 St, Louis Post-Dispatch 12 Sept. 20/5 (Newspapers.com)
> 
> Following is the Thieves' Dictionary, compiled by "Sleepy" Burk, ex-convict, and published in his new paper, "The National X-Ray." ... Bad -- Good.
> 
> Fred Shapiro
> 
> 
> 
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