joint n.— Note: The Historical Dictionary of American Slang dates this use of “joint” meaning “a carnival booth or concession” to 1894. «Dodson joined the Louisiana fair Wednesday.…Before working the games...
ride jockey n.— Note: The Historical Dictionary of American Slang dates this use of “jockey” meaning “an operator, handler, or worker” to 1908. «Dodson joined the Louisiana fair Wednesday.…Before working the...
bug n.— «Rode five winners on a December 1981 afternoon at New York’s Aqueduct as an apprentice, something not even “The Kid,”” Steve Cauthen—famous and fresh off his Triple Crown triumph aboard Affirmed three years...
frog jockey n.— «The squabble has also divided many of the competitors, grown men and women who spend days and nights before the fair crawling around ponds and swamps looking for the perfect jumping frog. Known as frog jockeys, the...
surf jockey n.— «Carr, who had invited me to join his group of surfcasters, recommended using bucktails after observing a few nice stripers taken on that simple but time-honored jig, best fished with a strip of pork rind trailing off the...
reef v.— «So I reefed on it, and he reefed back. There was a lot of reefing. He was surprisingly strong, and was pulling against my banged-up left hand with all his fury, and I was mortified to discover I was spending a Friday night...