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Stories from the Golden Age reflect the words and expressions used in the 1930s and 1940s, adding unique flavor and authenticity to the tales. While a character’s speech may often reflect regional origins, it also can convey attitudes common in the day. So that readers can better grasp such cultural and historical terms, uncommon words or expressions of the era, the following glossary has been provided. avarice: extreme greed for wealth or material gain. batteries: groups of large-caliber weapons used for combined action. beaters: people who drive animals out from cover. beck: a gesture of the hand, head, etc., meant to summon. bos’n: bosun; a petty officer on a merchant ship who supervises the work of other crew. brutes: animals other than human beings. CPO: Chief Petty Officer. dodger: a screen to provide protection on a ship. dry washes: dry stream beds, as at the bottom of a canyon. flagon: a container for beverages, with a handle, narrow neck, spout and sometimes a lid. gangway: a narrow, movable platform or ramp forming a bridge by which to board or leave a ship. haft: the handle of a knife, ax or spear. hard by: in close proximity to; near. hither and thither: in many directions in a disorderly way. juju: something thought to possess magical powers. O: used in solemn or poetic language to add earnestness to an appeal. obtained: existed. pannikin: a small metal drinking cup. shoal: to become shallow. slaver: a slave ship; a ship for transporting slaves from their native homes to places of bondage. slug: a bullet. spraddled: spread apart. squelched: made a sucking sound (while walking on soft wet ground). struck no colors: never surrendered. A variation of the phrase “striking the colors,” which is the universally recognized sign of surrender for ships at battle; the flag is hauled down as a token of submission. terrier who had no eyes for the size of her rats: terrier is a group of dogs initially bred for hunting and killing vermin, such as rats and small game, both above and under the ground. While usually small, these dogs are known for being brave and tough with a lively, energetic personality. They will tenaciously go after their prey, undeterred by its size, even digging into the ground if needed to reach it. Used figuratively. thou: archaic form of you. tramp: a freight vessel that does not run regularly between fixed ports, but takes a cargo wherever shippers desire. vassals: servants or slaves. Venusian: relating to the planet Venus.
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