Meaning of some of the phrase in Grapes of Wrath
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 8:37 pm
I've started reading Grapes of Wrath and I've run into some old-time phrases that I'm not sure of the meaning. I suppose these must date from the 1920s-1940s.
"My dogs was pooped out." From context I take it to mean his feet are tired from walking, but I'm curious as to the origin of this phrase.
"He just done it for ducks." Does it mean he's doing it for show?
"He wasn't puttin' on no dog." No idea.
Is anyone familiar with these? Were they actually real phrases, or turns of phrase invented by Steinbeck?
"My dogs was pooped out." From context I take it to mean his feet are tired from walking, but I'm curious as to the origin of this phrase.
"He just done it for ducks." Does it mean he's doing it for show?
"He wasn't puttin' on no dog." No idea.
Is anyone familiar with these? Were they actually real phrases, or turns of phrase invented by Steinbeck?