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His name is Dennis

Posted by ESC on March 21, 2003

In Reply to: I need help with a phrase from a George Kelly play!!! posted by Lynnae Andersen on March 21, 2003

: Hi all,
: I was wondering if anyone knew the meaning of this phrase, found in George Kelly's play "Daisy Mayme," written in 1926:
: "My name is absolutely DENNIS out there in that kitchen! They won't let me do a thing!"

: What does the phrase itself mean? What did DENNIS refer to in the 1920's???
:
: Help!! My actors are struggling for the answer. Thank you!

Here's one reference entry. Looking for others.

(one's) name is Dennis - one is done for. J. Reynolds in "Knickerbocker" (May) 38 "Carry me on, and his name Dennis"! cried the boat-steerer in a confident voice." From Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 1, A-G by J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994.

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