This is the book that chronicles the history of everyday words and phrases that were once considered slang, impolite, or just plain wrong. Illustrating the concept of semantic drift—how words and usages change over a period of time—the word “scofflaw” is traced back to a 1924 newspaper contest to name a person who failed to adhere to the 18th Amendment. It defeated (as “beat” should not be used in this context, according to a 1906 grammar book) “sliquor”, “patrinot”, and “boozshevik.” The book lists 221 additional examples, including “gent” for “gentleman” and “pants” for “pantaloons”, the former abbreviated word forms described as “inexcusable vulgarisms” in an 1884 usage guide. Hardcover. 225 pages. (1 lb.)