Hi all -
In my reading about the Civil War, I always find references to a “mule driver lingo,” which apparently consisted of the most vile swear words imaginable. What tantalizes me is that I can’t find out anything about the nature of these swears, i.e. were they of religious, scatological, sexual or what other nature? Does anyone have examples of what constitutes a mule driver’s swear?
Thanks!
Oliver
I’m almost certain that “motherfucker” would have been included. Also possibly “cocksucker”, “shitforbrains” and “shiteating”.
All those glorious Anglo-Saxon euphemisms, like “cunt” and “turd” and “dick” and “piss”, you get the idea, would have been combined in new and unusual ways to create a symphony of invective. Unfortunately, Victorian publishing standards do not permit the handing down in writing of exactly what was said.
I have also read a lot of stuff about the 19th century, and I get the idea that the phrase “mule-driver lingo” or “to cuss like a mule-driver” was a sort of 19th century writer’s shorthand, meaning “to cuss a whole lot”. It’s certainly a lot more colorful.
If you’re truly interested, there are books in the library that cover this sort of thing. Look under “linguistics”, sub-specialty “socio-linguistics”. There’s a scholarly publication called Maledicta that publishes invective from around the world.
BTW, welcome to the SDMB!
I wondered where the term “teamster” came from until I learned they drove teams of mules or oxen before they drove trucks. Other than that I suppose the quality of their language has remained at about the same level.
Sailors were also known for colorful language.
ARGH! I have two books on Mule Drivers in my library, that were just packed up yesterday and shipped to NC! So I can’t look it up.
But, think of the perspective of a mule driver day in & out…
Come on, Notthemama, admit it–you just responded to this so you could say those naughty words, didn’t you? 