Question: "straws"

[Teamamerica1]

I hope this is going to everyone that has replied. Thank you for such a warm welcome. I am on a real computer at the moment fumbling around. May take me a "minute" to figure how things work in here. I'm remedial on the computer. I forgot to mention that I'm from New Orleans though I live about an hour away from it now. Anyone ever participate in the Camp Moore re-enactment activities in Tangipahoa Louisiana?

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Welcome @Teamamerica1

Interesting question that's getting some interesting answers. I'd never heard of these either.

 

[Teamamerica1]

Mornin' you wonderful folks of great resource. Still reading same book and another term has come up that I can't find from simply googling. For the record, while I greatly enjoy history I've studied it randomly and the Civil War era was merely gleaned from common knowledge, public schools and college so please forgive if my questions seem simplistic. I appreciate everyone's patience and ready willingness to help in such sincere terms.

Today's quandary: "strong salt-water brogue". Referred to in regard to how a former slave spoke. I assume it meant the common dialect of a black person of the time but I'd like to be sure and I'm intrigued about how the term came to be in the first place.

 

[zburkett]

Welcome and great question. As we all seem to be guessing, I wonder if it is not a reference to sniffing Cocaine or some form of snuff.

 

[wbull1]

Welcome from Oregon

 

[Gandycreek]

Welcome

 

[Eleanor Rose]

Today's quandary: "strong salt-water brogue". Referred to in regard to how a former slave spoke. I assume it meant the common dialect of a black person of the time but I'd like to be sure and I'm intrigued about how the term came to be in the first place.

You're right. "Salt-water brogue" became known as Gullah. This is referenced in the book, Major Butler's Legacy: Five Generations of a Slaveholding Family. It is a well researched book written by Malcolm Bell, Jr.

 

[Teamamerica1]

Thanks Eleanor. Another book to add to my very long list of books to read. In addition to reading and loving history I'm fascinated by language. Hope this book explains where the "salt-water" term came from. Very curious. Have a blessed Sunday!

 

[WJC]

Welcome! Be sure to join in our discussions: new perspectives are always appreciated!
As to your question, "'straws" could refer to cigarettes (particularly those of the Chinese style: basically a cigarette with a staw tip of varied length), or perhaps sipping an adult beverage through a natural (biodegradable) straw. It might also refer to a cutthroat game of jackstraws- the game we call pick up sticks.

 

[Teamamerica1]

Welcome! Be sure to join in our discussions: new perspectives are always appreciated!
As to your question, "'straws" could refer to cigarettes (particularly those of the Chinese style: basically a cigarette with a staw tip of varied length), or perhaps sipping an adult beverage through a natural (biodegradable) straw. It might also refer to a cutthroat game of jackstraws- the game we call pick up sticks.

Thanks for replying.

 

[UnderTheRadar]

Welcome aboard @Teamamerica1! I look forward to seeing the answer to this question. My guess would be "straws" were pieces of flavored tobacco that men chewed. I'm also guessing you're reading War-Time Journal of a Georgia Girl by Fanny Andrews. If so, it's a great choice. I think it's one of the most compelling first-person accounts of the Civil War from the homefront.

I hope you'll stop by the Mid-19th Century Life forum for a visit and join in the conversation! This forum covers everything Victorian, from how our 19th century friends celebrated holidays to how they lived their daily lives.

https://civilwartalk.com/forums/mid-19th-century-life.201/​

I liked her journal, too.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

For convenience I use an Android phone but it doesn't seem compatible with this site. Next time I check back I'll use my laptop.

Seems to work well on my Droid.

 

[Rhea Cole]

Turns out that "straw" as a slang word has a long, complex history dating back to 1780. Green's Dictionary of Slang is a handy reference for authors who want to avoid anachronisms.

The closest reference in time is a euphemism for sexual relations.

Link:

straw, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang