We all know the line from " Our American Cousin", when Harry Hawk as Asa Trenchard, utters a line, considered one of the play's funniest, to Mrs. Mountchessington: "Don't know the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal — you sockdologizing old man-trap."
But what is the definition of sockdologizing as meant by Asa in this famous line?
I admit, I looked it up. But I looked it up when I first came across this word and didn't understand the meaning. So, since I've already done this "homework" long before, I find it legitimate to make use of it now. As far as I found out, it's a slang word that was in common in the 1850ies and means something like a final blow or a decisive remark or argument.
Doesn't it mean something like "conniving?"
You are correct Eva about one definition, as Laurie pointed out to me there is an old definition or boxing term meaning " to strike a final blow."
But there is yet another definition for this word that I believe is more in line with the quote from the play.
Manipulative! That's what I thought when I said "conniving."
brtmichl still has one more definition that relates to a real object of that time period. This is one of the hardest trivia questions ever posted here, IMO.
Wow. Something to do with a sock? Just guessing and being a bit silly.
I'm sorry, This is my first trivia question I have put out. It is a lot more difficult than I expected. Please bear with me I should clarify.
LincolnMan and asobobbingfilm are both correct that the term means manipulative. But there was a device created in the 1840's that I believe Asa was refering to while also calling her manipulative. It goes along with him calling her a man trap. It was called a Sockdolger. It was also known by a different name. What was this device. And what other name did it go by?
Sorry, Damn Rookies. I'll work on my trivia asking skills
Damn Rookies?! I love it. I can use it on Joseph. Rick, Bill, and I have made that Damn Yankee an Honorary Rebel, but in my unending quest to irritate him, I think I will create a six-month evaluation period in which he will be called a Rookie Rebel. I will have to drop the "damn" because there is no such thing as a damn Rebel where Rick, Bill, and I are from. And, don't anyone else dispute that, y'all heah? Thank you for the idea.
If this is correct, Google shall receive the prize: The device is a springloaded fishhook patented in 1847 and also known as Yankee Doodle.
I just signed on and this is chapping my Damn Yankee/Probationary Honorary Rebel hide already. I've heard this some where....dang it. Think....think....think....
I cheated and found this using Frau Eva's answer. It looks like she nailed it and I think we can call this a German victory! Schön, Eva! I had nothing to do with this question and I got the usual beating without even showing up and asking for it. Something is not right here, Mr. Norton.........
http://cher-homespun.blogspot.com/2012/0...-trap.html
(08-09-2013 07:03 PM)L Verge Wrote: [ -> ]Damn Rookies?! I love it. I can use it on Joseph. Rick, Bill, and I have made that Damn Yankee an Honorary Rebel, but in my unending quest to irritate him, I think I will create a six-month evaluation period in which he will be called a Rookie Rebel. I will have to drop the "damn" because there is no such thing as a damn Rebel where Rick, Bill, and I are from. And, don't anyone else dispute that, y'all heah? Thank you for the idea.
No problem, turns out making fun of oneself gives other people good ideas.
(08-09-2013 11:26 PM)brtmchl Wrote: [ -> ] (08-09-2013 08:53 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote: [ -> ]If this is correct, Google shall receive the prize: The device is a springloaded fishhook patented in 1847 and also known as Yankee Doodle.
You are correct Eva. Nice job. It was much harder for me to find. I really thought this would have lasted longer.
Thanks, but as Joe and I said, I cheated. Normally I refuse to Google trivia questions, that's no fun. But I was so curious this time, (especially since my previous answer was not at all right,) I just wanted to know it. Joe, seems you got up on the wrong side of the bed today....maybe this helps a little:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=R-OoIvgtuzs...-OoIvgtuzs