Has anyone ever heard of the word, 'quill', being defined as: the best, most proficient and talented, like 'top notch'?
Harold Gould uses the word, 'quill', in the movie, 'The Sting', when he is at the bar where he picks out the best men to work the con.
Kid Twist (Harold Gould): "Gondorff is setting up a wire store on the north side. I'm gonna need a twenty man boost right away."
Dukey: "I've got plenty of talent out there tonight. You can take your pick."
Kid Twist: "This is a tough one, Dukey. These guys have gotta be the 'quill'."
Dukey: (directs comment to Lace)"Get me the sheet."
(to Kid Twist) "We'll see who's in town."
Thanks everyone,
Sardith
quill
quill
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: quill
I found this in the urban dictionary:
New word for cool, fly, awesome, etc.
You wish you could be as quill as me.
New word for cool, fly, awesome, etc.
You wish you could be as quill as me.
pl
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
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Re: quill
I saw this one but decided not to use it as they say it's new. Since the use here is from The Sting, it should be criminal slang from the 30s. Even the movie itself is 40 years old, so I wouldn't call it new.I found this in the urban dictionary:
New word for cool, fly, awesome, etc.
You wish you could be as quill as me.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
Re: quill
Thanks, guys!
Slava, that 'Scoundrel's Slang' is pretty interesting. . .
Have a nice weekend,
Sardith
Slava, that 'Scoundrel's Slang' is pretty interesting. . .
Have a nice weekend,
Sardith
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
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- Lexiterian
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Re: quill
I would suppose that since a quill is an old form of writing tool, it would imply that a person describe this way would be "sharp". I've used a quill to do some calligraphy and you have to constantly sharpen it . Also porcupines have sharp quills. Just a thought.
In contrast, someone that is not quill (sharp), can be referred to as "not the sharpest tool in the toolbox. "
Happy Halloween (GO Red Sox!)
E
In contrast, someone that is not quill (sharp), can be referred to as "not the sharpest tool in the toolbox. "
Happy Halloween (GO Red Sox!)
E
EBERNTSON
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns
Fear less, hope more;
eat less, chew more;
whine less, breathe more;
talk less, say more,
and all good things will be yours.
--R. Burns
Re: quill
Good points, eberntson. . .no pun intended.
“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
~Mark Twain, [pen name for Samuel Clemens], American author and humorist, (1835-1910)~
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- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 3333
- Joined: Wed Jan 03, 2007 12:41 pm
- Location: RUSTON, LA
- Contact:
Re: quill
The porcupine reference may be onto something as far as quill meaning someone who is sharp. I like it!
pl
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