[Ads-l] Antedating of "Viper" (Drug User)

[ADSGarson O'Toole]

The March 1935 citation below discusses the song "Viper's Moan" and
contends that "viper" means "marajuana addict".

Date: March 24, 1935
Newspaper: Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Newspaper Location: Brooklyn, New York
Article: Recorded Jazz - - and Duke Ellington
Author: John Hammond
Quote Page C7, Column 1
Database: Newspapers.com

https://www.newspapers.com/article/brooklyn-eagle-19350324john-hammond/8694796/

[Begin excerpt]
Wilson turns up in Willie Bryant's Victor record of "Viper's Moan"
(24858), which is an education both in the names of Harlem musicians
and the vice of "reefer" smoking. A viper is a synonym for a marajuana
addict - by way of explanation.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Mon, Feb 23, 2026 at 12:13 PM Shapiro, Fred
<00001ac016895344-dmarc-request at listserv.uga.edu> wrote:
>
> viper (OED, 4., 1938)
>
> 1936 Daily Herald (London, Eng.) 21 Feb. 1/3 (Newspapers.com)
>
> Smoking of dope cigarettes is spreading among British dance musicians.  The habit is fairly common among American Negro musicians ... one cigarette will usually suffice for several "vipers," or "weed" smokers, who will smoke it in turn.
>
> Fred Shapiro
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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