Word: skunking
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Dates: during 1870-1879
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...towards correcting these evils would not be lost. Although many offices with large salaries were offered me, I was actuated by a purpose of establishing a centre of learning and refinement, - a republic after Plato's own heart, - and I decided to take the post-office of Skunk's Misery, feeling assured that a man of culture and a philosopher could make the lowliest position honorable and useful. I have not been disappointed. The post-office is near the bar-room of the village tavern. I there delivered the letters alternately with short but pithy essays on philosophic and classical...
...hoys" means a jolly good fellow, the same thing is elsewhere denoted by "brick," "seed," and "varmint"; the latter word is in use at Cam-bridge, England. At Princeton College, if a student leaves town indebted to his shoemaker and others, he is said to "skunk them." I believe there is no corresponding expression in vogue here, perhaps from the very reason that such customs are not indulged in, though it is not best to be too inquisitive on that point. Hint to a collegian that he has stolen certain "ornaments" in his room, and he will resent...