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Dictionary definition of “boojack”

boojack

n. a newspaper boy who attracts customers with shouts. Subjects: English, Media

Editorial Note: The most similar word I could find was bootjack, ‘a contrivance for pulling off boots,’ but the similarity is superficial. Another similar word, and more interesting in its possible connection, is the exclamation of enthusiasm booya. An unlikely comparison might be made to hijack, connoting, perhaps, the stopping of passersby with exclamations and shouts. A relationship might also be speculated with jack one’s jaws ‘to talk volubly’ (HDAS 1960) ; to jack ‘to steal; hijack’ (HDAS 1930) and ‘to hold up’ (HDAS 1982).

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Citations: 1937 Individuals; Wayne Walden @ New York City Lexicon of Trade Jargon (Dec. 6) “Slang of newspaper and mail delivery (rewrite Canny)”: Boojacks—Newsboys who rush forth to sell “extras.”…Boojacking—The unintelligible howling of news heralds out selling “extras.”

Posted 31 May 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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