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.
- His name is Dennis ESC 03/21/03