dead wagon
n.— «Harry Dolowich’s plans crystallized when Larry Fay hit the headlines in mid-1929.…About one hundred independent milk dealers paid thousands apiece for membership in the Milk Chain; in return Fay guaranteed to keep the price of milk high. Those who couldn’t afford the dues, or attempted to sell for less, found that wholesalers wouldn’t supply them, health inspectors would harass them, and their customers would receive visits from the “dead wagons.” These were association trucks that undersold recalcitrant dealers, causing retailers to drop their regular suppliers. After a few weeks of dead wagons, the holdouts usually had to shut their doors.» —“The Egg Cream Racket” by Andrew Coe Gastronomica Summer, 2004. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
In the 15th century, the word respair meant “to have hope again.” Although this word fell out of use, it’s among dozens collected in a new book of soothing vocabulary for troubled times. Plus, baseball slang: If a batter...
The German phrase Der Bus hält an jeder Milchkanne literally translates as “The bus stops at every milk can,” and refers to a bus that stops at every little out-of-the-way town. This is part of a complete episode.
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