[Ads-l] world('s) serious

[Ben Zimmer]

"World Serious" (or "World's Serious") is a jocular alteration of "the
World('s) Series" that is often attributed to Ring Lardner. While Lardner
often had his characters use the phrase, the earliest I see from him is a
syndicated piece from June 1914.

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https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-world-serious/209089609/
Chicago Tribune, June 14, 1914, p. III1, col. 5
"Letter from Bill to Steve," by Ring W. Lardner
I wish our club would get into a world serious against Washington.
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Here are some earlier examples (though I wonder if the first one is a typo
rather than intentional wordplay).

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https://www.newspapers.com/article/lansing-state-journal-worlds-serious/209094179/
Lansing State Journal, Oct. 7, 1908, p. 6, col. 1
Governor Warner wired Manager Hughey [J]ennings last night as follows:
"Congratulations. The people of Michigan rejoice over your splendid victory
and wish you success in the world's serious."
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https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-worlds-serious/209221071/
Lake County Times (Hammond, Ind.), Oct. 18, 1910, p. 1, col. 2
A number of Hammond men went to see the first game of the world's serious.
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New York American, Oct. 10, 1911, p. 10, col. 4 [GenealogyBank]
"Willowy Wiltse Tunes Up for Title Series," by Damon Runyon
This tuning up for a world's "serious" is getting very monotonous.
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https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-worlds-serious/209094561/
Kansas City Times, Oct. 14, 1911, p. 8, col. 5
Mawruss Perlmutter in the New York Mail.
"D'ye think might you got a chance to win this here world's serious?" I ask
Mr. McGraw.
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https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tribune-world-serious/209094429/
Scranton Tribune, Oct. 14, 1911, p. 13, col. 4
"The World Serious."
They are pulling off a little war in China,
They are tearing ancient Tripoli apart.
Way up North the dams are bursting and the Greasers still go thirsting,
And the President is spouting from the heart.
Have you heard?
Not a word;
Not a single word I've heard--
But I hope they'll put in Matty for the start.
[etc.]
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--bgz

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