Lingo of the 1850’s

Greetings:

Hello, how are you this morning?

Top of the morning to you

Good morning Sir, Madam

God be with you

God be with ye:  then became goodbye later on.

 

Go it blind: To act without any information, planning or foresight. As, “When I left home, “he said, “I was determined to go it blind. I went it blind in coming to California, and I’m not going to stop now.” (1849)

Hang up one’s fiddle: To desist; to give up. As, “After panning for a while and finding no color, he hung up his fiddle and returned to the States.” ((1849))

Hankering, Hanker: To desire or want something. As, “We have been unsuccessful so far in procuring game & all have a hankering after fresh meat which antelope would satisfy very satisfactorily.” ((1849))

Hornswoggle: To cheat or deceive. ((1829))

Jack: A breezy form of address to a man whose name is unknown. ((1850))

Junk: Salted meat ((1850))

Looking for color: To be prospecting for gold. ((1852))

Eagle: A ten dollar coin minted of pure gold by the Miner’s Bank of San Francisco. Called an “Eagle” because of the American eagle on the reverse. ((1849))

Dyed in the wool: Ingrained; a part of; through out; thorough. ((1849))

Eat one’s hat: To eat one’s words; to be wrong. As, “If this isn’t the right road, I’ll eat my hat.” ((1837))

Fortnight: Two weeks or 14 days and nights. (before ’49)

Full chisel: At full speed. ((1849))

Hasn’t had a new idea since Adam was a boy: One who is not much of a thinker; not given to change or innovation. ((1850)