What if you could talk to someone who lived at the time of the Civil War?
YOU would probably have a hard time understanding some of the things they said..
.LET'S step back now and hear what they had to say:
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer: person capable of doing many things.
Sheet Iron Crackers: hardtack
Sardine Box: cap box
Bread Basket: stomach
Greenbacks: money
Graybacks: Southern Soldiers or lice
Arkansas Toothpick: large knife
Pepperbox: pistol
Zu-Zu: Zuoave Soldiers
Fit to be tied: angry
Horse Sense: smart
Top Rail: #1 or first class
Hunkey Dorey: great!
Greenhorn, Bugger, Skunk: officers
Snug as a bug: comfortable, cozy
Sawbones: surgeon
Skedaddle: run, scatter
Hornets: bullets
Bully: hurrah! or yeah!
Possum: a buddy or pal
Blowhard: big shot
Fit as a fiddle: in good shape, healthy
Uppity: conceited
Scarce as hen's teeth: rare or scarce
Grab a root: have dinner or potato
Tight, Wallpapered: drunk
Bark Juice or Tar Water: liquor
Nokum Stiff or Joy juice: liquor
Hard Case: tough
Bluff: cheater
Jailbird: criminal
Hard Knocks: beaten up
Been through the mill: done a lot
Quick-step: diarrhea
Played Out: worn out or tired
Toeing the mark: doing the job
Jonah: bad luck
Goobers: peanuts
Sunday Soldiers , Kid glove boys, Parlor Soldiers: insulting words to a Soldier
