Hmmmm. Does this slang term perhaps refer to the exchange of greeting cards on holidays or special occasions?
Somehow, I doubt this has anything to do with Hallmark or Blue Mountain...
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And, if you agreed with me, you would (also) be right!
Here's the definition of to give one cards, according to Americanisms, Old and New by John Stephen Farmer:
A slang expression borrowed from the gaming table, signifying to give an advantage. The English equivalent "to give points" is derived from the billiard saloon.
Intrigued, I looked further, and found this term in A Book of Rocky Mountain Tales by By Richard Linthicum, published 1892, in an amusing little story titled "A Picture of Spring: The Difference between Idealism and Realism in Art." It's short, it's fun, and if you have a minute, you might check it out in its entirety below. (The expression appears in the last line of the story.)
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2 comments:
How do you find time for all you do? Enjoyed the review on It's Purely My Opinion and your post on The Real on Me.
Hi Liz!
Well, it isn't easy, and I do imbibe a lot of coffee and firmly believe in the power of the late-afternoon nap! ;-) One of these days, I suppose I'll ratchet back on the day job(s)... either voluntarily or no... but until then, it's full speed ahead!
Glad you checked out the review and my "socking it away" post. A couple more posts coming on my random virtual tour. Then I really should get cracking on book #7. (Heavens! Hard to believe!)
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