Wentworth and Flexner's Dictionary of American Slang:
"creeping meatballism See meatballism. A somewhat jocular though intrinsically serious criticism of American politics, culture, education, or the like. Since c1955, pop. by N. Y. C. disc jockey and social commentator Jean Shepherd."
"I never would have dreamed, when I was a kid that this could ever possibly have happened. I have made the dictionary."
Jean Shepherd - 7-3-60
July 3, 1960 Show - "Have you seen in the current - in the current New York Times book review section, there's a big review on a dictionary of slang. Have you seen that? Well, there's a big review. It's the cover review as a matter of fact. Well, I'll tell you, I feel like I've really made it now. I mean, I've really made it. And you know it - I never would have dreamed, when I was a kid that this could ever possibly have happened. I have made the dictionary. I'm serious. I am in the dictionary. On page 130 of the new slang dictionary. Wentworth and Flexner's Dictionary of American Slang." "That I - I have contributed a word that has become part of American slang. It's a great feeling, you know, that you really have - somehow - affected your - you know, your time, your country, and I - I'm telling you - this is a true story… Any of you old listeners who might possibly think you know what phrase it was, give us a call, and we'll award the brass figlagee with bronze oak leaf palm. What a fantastic feeling it is to know that you're in the dictionary, you know?!"
Courtesy of Gene Bergmann
|
|
