[Ads-l] Further Antedating of "Yeah"

[Shapiro, Fred]

yeah (OED 1863)

1848 Democratic Clarion (Princeton, Indiana) 18 Mar. 4/1 (Newspapers.com)

A South Carolina negro had been standing beside the pieces for some time evincing a very lively interest.  When the shell burst in the gate he could not contain himself no longer, but jumping up in the air, cracked his heels together, and cried out 'Dat's it ! massa ! dat's it ! gib 'em de shells !  Pile in de shells — dam de odds weder you hits 'em or not; you scare 'em to def any how ! yeah ! yeah !

NOTE:  This seems to be reprinted from an earlier publication called "N. A. Mexico."

Fred Shapiro

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