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Old son
Posted by ESC on November 26, 2002
In Reply to: "My old son" posted by Patty on November 26, 2002
: What specifically does the phrase "my old son" mean and what relationoship is implied between the two people (the user of the phrase and the hearer) when the phrase is used? Thanks. - Patty
In my mind's eye I could see/hear a leathery cowboy using this expression. And it looks like I was right.
OLD SON - "n. (used as a form of direct address to a man). 1887 in F. Remington 'Sel. Letters' 43. Clark Old Son - As the Cornish miners say. 1959 in H. Ellison 'Sex Misspelled' 105: Pull out of it, old son." From Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang, Volume 2, H-O by J.E. Lighter, Random House, New York, 1994.
