Vintage American Slang Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gamblers

A buck knife, a knife with a buckhorn handle, or a piece of buckshot (stories vary) was placed in front of the next dealer. When the dealer changed, "the buck was passed". Later, a silver dollar was used for this purpose and this may be where "buck" came to be used to designate a dollar.

Answer: No one is really certain

Theories abound. "Aux quais" was a marking stamped on cotton bales at some Mississippi riverports. For sure, "OK" was being used in newspapers as early as 1838. Martin Van Buren, candidate for president in 1840, had acquired the nickname "Old Kinderhook", and the "OK" was easier to use than his Dutch surname. But in the end, the true origin is still shrouded in mystery.

Answer: Political campaign device

In the late 19th century, when the circus came to town, they would stage a parade to stir enthusiasm and generate business, complete with wagons, animals, clowns, etc. Upon one of these wagons was usually perched a brass band. Politicians took notice and were soon doing the same. President Theodore Roosevelt used the term "jump on the bandwagon" in some of his correspondence.

Answer: Having committed a crime that left blood on one's hands

In law, even in medieval times, there were instances where a conviction couldn't be obtained unless the perpetrator was caught with blood on his hands. "Red handed", so to speak.

Answer: Horse racing

When no regulations existed for the sport, it was not unheard of to substitute one horse for another to increase the odds of winning. The horse was called a "ringer". An exact, or "dead on" lookalike horse was a "dead ringer".

Answer: A copper mining labor dispute

This is a fairly recent addition to American English. In 1917, Colorado copper miners struck for better, safer working conditions. The mine owners refused, threatening to send the strike leaders to mines in New Mexico, which they eventually did. These leaders found themselves "between a rock and a hard place".

Answer: An old English Poem

This is one of the oldest bits of slang, originating from a poem published by one Thomas Howell, dated 1570. "Counte not thy chickens that vnhatched be, waye words as winde, till thou find certaintee". (Standardized spelling had not yet come into use).

Answer: Tapping trees which were believed to contain good spirits

In the middle ages, it was believed that benevolent spirits lived in the forests and dwelt in trees. Knocking on the trees was meant to assure the spirits of your good intentions, and result in good luck.

Answer: Keep a secret

The derivation is pretty simple, really. If it's "kept under your hat", it stays in your head. In other words, think about it, but don't say it. This term did not come into use until the 20th century.

Answer: Conestoga wagonners

Drivers decorated their harnesses with lots of bells, of which they were quite proud. If they broke down or got stuck during a trip, the teamster who came to help might ask for some bells as part of his payment. To arrive at a destination with "all your bells on" signified a successful trip.