The Little Sister

SKIV - Knife, Shiv.

BURG - Small town.

CHEATERS - Sunglasses.

SNAP-BRIM HAT - Popular hat with brim that can be turned up or down. Usually worn with brim up in back, down in front.

SNAP-BRIM HAT

CRESTVIEW - Exclusive area of Hollywood.

GUM-SHOE - Private Eye; reference to rubber-soled shoes worn by same for discreet work.


IN A PIG'S VALISE - Punk expression roughly equivalent to 'Not likely.'


OLD FORESTER - Yet another Whiskey brand favoured by Marlowe.

OLD FORESTER WHISKEY

SMOKER - All-male party, often involving 'Stag' films. Stag films varied from risque to pornographic and were themselves a part of a criminal underground existing alongside other smuggling rackets.


BUST - A dead-end, as opposed to a Police bust.


BOOK-HANDLER - Bookmaker, esp in the NUMBERS RACKET.

UNDER GLASS - In jail.


PULP MAGAZINES - Cheaply produced fiction magazines printed from 1890's to the 1950's. Named for their cheap wood pulp paper.


SNAP IT UP - Make it fast.


RED-HOT - A wanted person.


$40 A DAY AND EXPENSES - Philip Marlowe's current fee as of 1949.


'ALL JAKE TO THE ANGELS' - Fine, O.K.


BAY CITY - Santa Monica; Raymond Chandler used an old name for the area. possibly to reduce offence to the citizens of Santa Monica itself. Bay City is used almost as a shorthand for seediness and crime in Chandler's works.

A 1938 BAY CITIES DIRECTORY SHOWING USAGE OF THE NAME

HOCK, IN - Usually to be in debt, here used as 'in jail.'


THE BIG RAZZOO - To be rudely rebuffed, to get nowhere.


RUNNER - Small-time crook moving money etc.


CLAIMCHECK - A receipt for left property; often used as an alternative to a safe deposit box by Marlowe.


THE DANCERS - Restaurant and club featured in The Little Sister. Based closely on The Players, Preston Sturges' establishment at 8225 Sunset Boulevard. The Players catered to Hollywood royalty - names such as Bogart and Bacall, The Marx Brothers - even Chaplin. The building has recently been renovated during which a secret tunnel was uncovered leading to the nearby Chateau Marmont, the exclusive hotel-retreat of such stars as Jim Morrison and the late John Belushi. (Belushi died in a Bungalow at the Chateau.)

THE PLAYERS IN IT'S HEYDAY

PERCENTAGE WORKER - Someone angling for a slice of the action. Often a small-time GRIFTER.

PLUGGED NICKEL - Originally a bi-metal coin with the silver disc at centre removed, lowering the metal value. Used to signify worthlessness.


LOUD PEDAL, THE - The chance for the Cops to go in full-tilt, either for publicity value or to let off steam.


SQUIBBED OFF - To be shot dead.


HOP/HOPPED UP - Drugs/drugged.


SHARPER - Equivalent to Shyster.


PUT THE BITE ON, TO - To blackmail.


TO TAKE ONE'S LUMPS - To take a (metaphorical) beating. To take what's due to you.


SWAG - Ill-gotten gains.


MUGGLE/MUGGLE-SMOKER - REEFER ADDICT.