blute

n. a newspaper. Subjects: English, Media

Editorial Note: This term and its definition have repeatedly been taken (as in the 2002 cite) from David Maurer’s The Big Con (1940), often without attribution, so most later citations for the word are not free-standing and, therefore, cannot be considered as additional support for the term. One of Maurer’s original sources for the term is mentioned in the 1982 American Speech article cited below.

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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)”: Blutes—Papers in general, as “what time does the next blutes come?” 1940 David W. Maurer The Big Con p. 254: Blute. A newspaper, especially fake clippings from a newspaper which are used in big-con games. 1982 Raven I. McDavid, Jr. American Speech (Winter) “David Maurer (1905-1981): A Memoir” vol. 57, no. 4, p. 278-79: What impressed me about the meeting was Dave’s discussion of The Johnson Family Blute, a newspaper even more restricted in its circulation than the White House Press Digest, for there was only one copy of each issue, that intended for Dave. He had met members of the Johnson mob some years ealier, and they had taken such an interest in his work that they developed the habit of communicating with him regularly, to bring him up to date on changes in the lingo.…After a long run the Blute expired when the family broke up during the dispersal of the mobs during World War II. 2002 Duane Swierczynski Complete Idiot’s Guide To Frauds, Scams, and Cons (Dec. 17) “Con Man Glossary” p. 241: Blute. Fake clippings from a newspaper, used in big con games.

Posted 2 Feb 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

Reader comments:

In Elizabeth Hay’s novel “Late Nights On Air” a blute is a smoker who doesn’t inhale. This fits with the con concept. This is in contrast to a ‘clute’ who inhales but doesn’t smoke!

by Dale fawthrop 06 May 08, 1136 GMT