Comments on: 30's slang lovers rejoice!

30's slang lovers rejoice!

Jos Bleau — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 08:36:30 -0800

Is Golan Cipel a "gunsel"? Gov. McGreevey's friend Golan Cipel appears to meet the original Maltese Falcon definition (a young man 'kept' for sex by an older man), but not it's later, derived one. Slantpoint provides a timeline of the relationship.

By: junkbox

junkbox — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:25:17 -0800

I cannot believe that second link. "sorted affair" "the man who's alleged threat" My delicate sensibilities have been harrassed - I think it's time *I* filed a lawsuit.

By: Nelson

Nelson — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 09:50:26 -0800

I'd love to see some more scholarship on this meaning of the word gunsel.

By: milovoo

milovoo — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 10:07:10 -0800

here's a start, The term 'gunsel' derives from the Yiddish 'ganzel'. The well-rehearsed anecdote relating to Hammett's use of the term in TMF suggests that, to 'put one over' Joe Shaw, editor of Black Mask, who had upbraided Hammett for an 'indelicacy' in an earlier submission, Hammett used a fruity-sounding-yet-innocuous term, 'gooseberry lay' as a red-herring, so that he could slip 'gunsel' into the story. ... I don't think I had ever heard "catamite" either. Two new words in one day, and it's friday the 13th. I think I better go throw some salt around or something.

By: Jos Bleau

Jos Bleau — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 10:13:46 -0800

I'll leave the language scholarship to the actual language scholars, but I can point to a discussion of The Maltese Falcon and Film Noir homosexuality here at the Encyclopedia of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Culture.

By: quonsar

quonsar — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 10:29:53 -0800

was jesus a catamite?

By: WolfDaddy

WolfDaddy — Fri, 13 Aug 2004 11:36:18 -0800

I think the modern term is "boy toy" or "fuck buddy". Just go to Palm Springs in summer. You'll see.