[Ads-l] antedating spook n. 1. (US black) a white person

[Christopher Philippo]

The OED does not have this meaning at all. The earliest for this definition at https://greensdictofslang.com/entry/a23ap7q is 1939. The only email I could find on that website was help at greensdictofslang.com which returned an error message?

“Thus far, no person has as yet found a name for this race of mine which meets the approval of everybody. No matter what the terminology, there are some who eise in what they term righteous indignation. […]
"There are of course several other terms used, generally in a lighter vein. […] The world of the theatre—and particularly dance musicians—has its own racy style of talking, in which a white is referred to as a ’spook’"
Davis, Frank Marshall. “World In Review: What Are We?” California Eagle [African-American newspaper]. May 8, 1936: 13 col 7.
https://fultonhistory.com/Newspaper%205/Los%20Angeles%20CA%20California%20Eagle/Los%20Angelse%20CA%20Californial%20Eagle%201935%20Grayscale/Los%20Angelse%20CA%20Californial%20Eagle%201935%20Grayscale%20%28654%29.pdf

“The greatest guitarists among us are the spook musicians. The late Eddie Lang topped them all, but today [Dick] McDonough and [Eddie] Condon lead the field."
Frank, Franklyn. "Armstrong, Teddy Wilson Rate 'Tops' Among All-American 'Hot' Bandsmen for the Year.” January 16, 1937: Pittsburgh [PA] Courier [African-American weekly]: 2nd sec. page 6 col 3. https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Pittsburgh%20PA%20Courier/Pittsburgh%20PA%20Courier%201936-1937/Pittsburgh%20PA%20Courier%201936-1937%20-%200344.pdf

“Here are some more 'swing terms’ written by Dolores Farwell for the paper: […]
“Spooks: white musicians."
“More About Swing.” Andover News [NY]. February 24, 1939: 6 col 5.
https://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Andover%20NY%20News/Andover%20NY%20News%201939/Andover%20NY%20News%201939%206563.pdf

There’s another noun form not on OED or Green’s Dictionary of Slang but less attestation:

 “‘Spooks’ are a standard feature of every U. S. airport. They are the air-hungry amateur and novice pilots who haunt the hangars, hire plans and lrearn to fly, not just to get places or to save time but mostly for fun of flying."
"Life goes to a Flying Party; The 'Spooks' use a hayfield for their airport on weekend.” Life. September 11, 1939. 86-89.
https://books.google.com/books?id=8EEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86

"I am what is known as a 'spook' flyer—that's the appellation they give to a licensed pilot who does not own a plane." Pelham Sun. October 6, 1939: 10 col 5.
https://fultonhistory.com/Login_18/Pelham%20NY%20Sun/Pelham%20NY%20Sun%201939/Pelham%20NY%20Sun%201939%20-%200482.pdf

Christopher K. Philippo
Glenmont, NY


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