Copulatin’ Blues
Filed under Dictionaries and Lexicography • (2) Comments • Permalink
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
This is the kind of stuff I get to listen to in the making of a slang dictionary: Copulatin’ Blues. The linked site is not quite right as it seems to intermingle songs from volumes one and two of the collection. The “Frankie and Johnny” clip there (from the second volume released in 1984) includes an early use of the word peter meaning “penis.” More than a couple sources claim it’s a Gene Autry recording (this one has the most detail), but it’s difficult to verify.
What an enjoyable blog!
To be considered a validating citation, must a usage be a printed, or even a published usage?
I heard that usage of “peter” when I was in Reno NV in 1970. [yes, it was a memorable usage...or I have the recall of a dictaphone]
Posted by greensmile on 01/19 at 05:31 PM
It doesn’t always *have* to be printed, but usually. In this case, the song in question is from 1932. If we can establish with certainty that that’s when it was released (through the printed record, natch), then we’re good because we can transcribe the lyrics ourselves.
Posted by Grant Barrett on 01/19 at 06:19 PM
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