1861. N. York Observer, 26 Dec. A young lady from the rural districts of Hoosierdom lately visited Chicago with her beau.
18[?]. Voice from the South, 53. Let us not forget the cynosure of Independence [i.e. Massachusetts]; but bid her a kind farewell for her pilotage through the breakers of the Revolution—put the Lone Star in its place.
c.1861-5. Mason, Southern Poems of the War, 95. And Texans will fight, 'Neath the flag of the Lone Star, For God and their right.
1865. Wheeler, Dict. s.v. Dark and Bloody Ground (The). An expression formerly much used in allusion to Kentucky, of which name it is said to be a translation. The phrase is an epitome of the early history of the State, of the dark and bloody conflicts of the first white settlers with their savage foes; but the name originated in the fact that this was the grand battle-ground between the Northern and Southern Indians.
1872. Eggleston, Hoosier Schoolmaster. It has been in my mind since I was a Hoosier boy to do something toward describing life in the back-country districts of the Western States.
1877. Hale, Adv. of a Pullman, 30. So they whirled relentlessly across the Pan-Handle, by which domestic name that funny strip of Western Virginia is known that shoots up like an inverted icicle between Pennsylvania and Ohio.
1877. Pres. Hayes, Speech [Providence, 28 June]. I ask every lady and gentleman to consider that here and now I give you a hearty Buckeye shake. Ibid. [Louisville, 17 Sep.] The once dark and bloody gbound of Kentucky, no longer so, but, as I trust in God, here and elsewhere a land of peace, prosperity, and happiness.
1877. New York Tribune, 6 July, old church in Nassau Street (New York) was dedicated in 1732 . . . The congregation was composed of the wealthiest and most prominent people of Manhattan Island—the veritable Knickerbockers.
d.1891. Lowell, Poems. When first the Pilgrims landed on the Bay State's iron shore, The word went forth that slavery should one day be no more.
1896. Lillard, Poker Stories, iii. The game, as she is played in the Land of Steady Habits. . .
To lie in state, verb. phr. (Grose).—'To be in bed with three regular harlots.'
In a state of elevation, verb. phr. (common).—More or less drunk: see Screwed.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas (1812), 11. iv. We drank hard, and went home in a state of elevation, that is half-seas over.
In a state of nature. See Nature's Garb.
States of Independency, subs.
phr. (Grose).—'Frontiers of Extravagance.
Oxf. Univ. Cant.'
Stationery, subs. (theatrical).—Free
passes; paper (q.v.).
Stave, verb. (American).—To press
onwards regardless of everything:
generic for vigorous action. Hence
staving = (1) dashing, active,
and (2) great, strong, &c.—a
general intensive. Staver =
anybody or anything exceptionally
active, brilliant, or dashing;
a rouser (q.v.). Also to rip
(q.v.) and stave.
1842. Kirkland, Forest Life [Bartlett]. Hilloa, Steve! where are you staving to? If you're for Wellington, scale up here, and I'll give you a ride.
1848. Am. Review, June. A president of one of our colleges once said to a graduate at parting, "My son, I want to advise you. Never oppose public opinion. The great world will stave right on!"
c.1850. Cincinnatti Times [Bartlett]. A staving dram put him in better humour. Strange what arguments some people require.
1869. Stowe, Oldtown Folks, 117. Miss Asphyxia's reputation in the region was perfectly established. She was spoken of with applause, under such titles as a staver, a pealer, a roarer at work.
1884. Century Mag., xxxviii. 41. He . . . went staving down the street as if afraid to look behind him.
