Suss

[skinem]

suss

Pronunciation: \ˈsəs\
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: by shortening & alteration from suspect
Date: 1966
1chiefly British : figure out — usually used with out
2chiefly British : to inspect or investigate so as to gain more knowledge — usually used with out

I don't remember hearing this word until roughly ten years ago or so.

Pretty new word--is it a case of slang working into "normal" speech?

[Perry]

I don't know about that, but I have been using the word for well over 20 years.

[gailr]

suss
...
Etymology: by shortening & alteration from suspect
...
1 chiefly British : figure out — usually used with out
2 chiefly British : to inspect or investigate so as to gain more knowledge — usually used with out

3 chiefly British : derived from Dr. Watson's sharper-witted colleague, Dr. Suss.

[skinem]

suss
...
Etymology: by shortening & alteration from suspect
...
1 chiefly British : figure out — usually used with out
2 chiefly British : to inspect or investigate so as to gain more knowledge — usually used with out

3 chiefly British : derived from Dr. Watson's sharper-witted colleague, Dr. Suss.

It's elementary! And, now, so obvious it's true!

[sluggo]

3 chiefly British : derived from Dr. Watson's sharper-witted colleague, Dr. Suss.

x 10

Aye, I've only heard it in the UK. Actually first heard it via vinyl rock record:
"Hey you gettin' drunk- so sorry, I've got you sussed."
-The Who, 1969 (We're Not Gonna Take It/"Tommy")

[skinem]

3 chiefly British : derived from Dr. Watson's sharper-witted colleague, Dr. Suss.

x 10

Aye, I've only heard it in the UK. Actually first heard it via vinyl rock record:
"Hey you gettin' drunk- so sorry, I've got you sussed."
-The Who, 1969 (We're Not Gonna Take It/"Tommy")

You're right! I'd completely forgotten about that...as a fan I'm now ashamed of myself.

[sluggo]

Warn't rock music grand for edumacation? The British Invasion left its literary mark on maturing minds. Suss, 'left it too late', engaged (telephone), dear (expensive)... and a worthy setup for the finishing school of Monty Python's Flying Circus.

I haven't heard suss all that much but never at all used with 'out', jus' suss.

[Perry]

Hey hung up old Mr. Normal,
Don't try to gain my trust!
'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
Although you think you must

I saw the Who perform Tommy the summer of 1970. It was the first time I took acid. Needless to say, both experiences were unforgettable.

[skinem]

Hey hung up old Mr. Normal,
Don't try to gain my trust!
'Cause you ain't gonna follow me any of those ways
Although you think you must

I saw the Who perform Tommy the summer of 1970. It was the first time I took acid. Needless to say, both experiences were unforgettable.

I saw them in Seattle in the summer of '70; again during their "farewell" tour in '81 (82? 83?); and finally during their "We were only kidding about retiring" tour in late '80s-early '90s. Interesting to see them in all their different incarnations.

I did, however, pass on the acid...

Seemed in their heyday, most high schoolers were either Who or Zeppelin fans, but not both. Can't suss that out.
(Just to stay slightly semi-on topic.)

[Perry]

Easy to suss out. Led Zepplin built its sound around Jimmy Page's guitar solos, which were very well done, but conventional, built on traditional Chicago blues-style guitar. The Who was much stronger on ensemble work. Pete Townsend's solos came out of phenomenal rhythm guitar and John Entwistle's bass playing was as often melodic as it was an underpinning.

Very different lyrics and themes between the two group, as well. I saw and enjoyed both in live performances (probably around the same year). However, The Who's performance made much more impact on me (and not because of the chemicals!).

[gailr]

The Pinball Wizard
with apologies to the above-mentioned Dr. Suss

All us lads down in Soho and Brighton and such
were mad about pinball; we had a deft touch.
We mastered each game featured in the arcade,
and boasted when names and high scores were displayed.

But there was this one kid, stood out from the pack,
though hearing and vision and speech he did lack.
He kicked all our *sses, I have to admit;
he played a mean pinball and he never quit.

He stood like a statue, a Giger machine!
He felt all the bumpers, and he played it clean.
Did his intuition make those counters fall?
That deaf, dumb and blind kid: mean at pinball.

He was not distracted by buzzers or bells;
he didn’t see flashing lights; he played by smell.
He didn’t tilt tables; replay never failed.
Led in by disciples, he always prevailed.

I thought I could beat him as I was the champ.
(I won all the tourneys with never a cramp.)
But that wizard kid busted out some mad skills―
the flippers obeyed him and gave the crowd thrills.

I handed my pinball crown over to him,
(though I wasn’t gracious, my smile was grim).
But he just ignored me and scored even more.
No noblesse oblige from the new pinball lord.

-gailr

[sluggo]

eeeh- I always thought Page's work was abominably sloppy.

(Giger = very cool link, Gailr)

[Perry]

I didn't mind his playing. I just thought he always looked too smug. Not at all like Clapton for example, who was very gracious towards other guitarists.

[skinem]

Sometime in the late '60s The Rolling Stones made a movie with a circus theme featuring a number of bands playing. That's all it was; bands playing in a circus tent with everyone wearing circus type clothes.

The Who was one of the bands and reportedly the Stones were veerrrry upset when it was obvious that The Who's performance upstaged the Stones...but then again, the Who upstaged most everyone.

Sluggo, I thought Page was sloppy, too. I liked Led ok, but I didn't think they held a candle to Roger and the boys.

Perry, great breakdown of the two groups!