# Do You Use (Know) These Slang Expressions? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 23, 2021, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293 "2021-01-23T16:57:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/41 "2021-01-25T22:00:07Z")
Canadians are more reserved and polite. In some cases one-to-one merging may be required. In others, Canadian expectations are pretty clear - they often don’t let the aggressive driver in. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/42 "2021-01-25T22:35:07Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > I believe the term for this is [know how to drive](https://www.codot.gov/projects/co9-wideningsummitco/the-zipper-merge-techniques-to-keep-traffic-moving). In Colorado they’ve had to put up signs reminding people to not merge before the merge point since it slows traffic so much. In other words early mergers are the asshole. Yeah, about Colorado … We were headed north on I-25 when suddenly traffic was at a standstill because the freeway was closed off past Walsenburg. Merging to the right lane to take the exit through town was a little annoying, but traffic was so bad that cars were cutting across the verge to get onto the frontage road, which meant that they were coming up to the overpass at the same time as traffic using the freeway exit, creating even more congestion. It really makes no sense that early mergers slow stuff down more. You have a choke point that is going to allow a certain flow of traffic. Merging early or going right up to the cut-off point really makes no difference in the rate of flow, because it cannot exceed the limit imposed by the lane reduction. Late mergers accomplish no more than irritating the early mergers. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/43 "2021-01-25T22:41:33Z")
It’s primarily about reducing the length of the back up so that other non related traffic don’t have issues. The zipper merge in generally preferred by traffic engineers and regulatory bodies because of this and the decrease in accidents. > **[Merge (traffic)](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merge_(traffic))** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > In traffic engineering, a merge is the point where two streams of traffic travelling in the same direction from multiple roads or in multiple lanes on the same road are required to merge into a single lane. > A merge may be a permanent road feature, for example at the end of a dual carriageway, or a temporary feature, common during roadworks. > Generally speaking, at a slip road onto a controlled-access highway or otherwise, traffic on the highway ... ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/44 "2021-01-25T22:48:03Z")
Plus, when there’s a line of cars one one lane that are waiting, their “ownership” over the lane means that some of them will act entitled and not let in the late mergers in a timely manner, forcing them to slow down and thus slow down everyone behind them in the line once they manage to slip in. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/45 "2021-01-25T22:55:01Z")
No, but I can guess. ---
**Author:** ![jaycat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat/32/3015_2.png) [@jaycat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jaycat)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/46 "2021-01-25T22:59:56Z")
Does anyone know these slang expressions: –Ameche –Bim –Frail –Canary –Ing-Bing –Roscoe. Hint: they’re from the 1920s. Sic transit etc. etc… ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/47 "2021-01-25T23:22:49Z")
I’m 67, and the only one of the OP’s terms I’ve heard of is Control Z. Assvice I’ll be using though. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/48 "2021-01-26T03:11:12Z")
I know (and dislike) “frail”. I think I know canary and roscoe. (Just checked; I had them both right.) I read old detective/mystery stories. By now they’ve got the added interest of having become historical novels, written from the inside. ---
**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/49 "2021-01-26T12:22:03Z")
I still use _Control Z_. Used it way back when it was ^Z. Mostly on the computer, but after a long session on the computer it randomly pops up when I see an explosion or the like. When the programming students make a massive error, there’s a group call out “Control Z! Control Z!” I’ll have to remember _bitgod_ and _Goo diligence_. @Dr_Paprika, are you looking for current expressions or past ones, like _23 skidoo_? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/50 "2021-01-26T16:38:51Z")
All expressions considered. I’ve heard many of the 20s expressions, but not Roscoe. Ameche is a telephone, named after an actor, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/51 "2021-01-26T20:50:12Z")
When I saw “ameche”, that was my first thought (actor, not telephone)… Don Ameche from _Trading Places_. Further research shows the movie that sparked the slang term came out in 1939, so definitely not '20s slang, but it _ **IS** _ Don Ameche being referred to! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2021, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/52 "2021-01-28T17:39:27Z")
You’ve convinced me but … it often is a matter of judgement when the lane begins to taper where “the point” is. When everyone else is zipper merging where the taper starts and others squeeze in half lane or partly on the shoulder to merge in front of them? Expressholes. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/53 "2021-01-31T16:37:04Z")
It’s still a good name, even if you think they are justified. (In Ontario, they are often characterized as “Toronto drivers”). So, what’s a roscoe? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/54 "2021-01-31T17:36:30Z")
A handgun. ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/55 "2021-02-10T19:53:36Z")
I’ve seen 143 for I love you, How does 831 work? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/56 "2021-02-10T21:57:57Z")
8 letters, 3 words, 1 joining? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/57 "2021-02-10T23:51:32Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I know (and dislike) “frail”. I think I know canary and roscoe. (Just checked; I had them both right.) > > I read old detective/mystery stories. By now they’ve got the added interest of having become historical novels, written from the inside. Me, too! And I knew the same words you did. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2021, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/58 "2021-02-10T23:54:11Z")
> [@Kron](#): > > When I saw “ameche”, that was my first thought (actor, not telephone)… Don Ameche from _Trading Places_ . When I think of Don Ameche I think of his earlier movies … I watch a lot of old movies. And do you know why ameche became slang for telephone? I don’t know why for sure, but my guess is that it’s because he played Alexander Graham Bell in that biopic. ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/59 "2021-02-11T00:07:02Z")
Yes, that’s exactly why. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2021, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293/60 "2021-02-11T00:48:13Z")
Cool! Ah, you changed your avatar…thought it was another person joining the convo! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-know-these-slang-expressions/931293.md?page=2)