Page 1 of 1

Meaning of some of the phrase in Grapes of Wrath

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 8:37 pm
by mwtzzz
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?

Re: Meaning of some of the phrase in Grapes of Wrath

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 6:43 am
by LanDroid
On the first one, yes his feet were tired. Don't know origin of calling feet dogs.
Dunno about the second one - ducks?
On the third one, "putting on the dog" means showing off, so he was not doing that.

One of my favorite books, but it can be painful reading...

Re: Meaning of some of the phrase in Grapes of Wrath

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:57 am
by mwtzzz
Ah, "wasn't showing off."Ok... Thanks for the explanations. I take it these were real phrases, then (not just something Steinbeck made up.)

Re: Meaning of some of the phrase in Grapes of Wrath

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 9:49 pm
by LanDroid
I just googled this on your 2nd quote above about ducks. It appears Steinbeck made that one up, but I think the other two were authentic expressions.

https://forum.wordreference.com/threads ... s.3403912/