Who knew Benjamin Franklin was an O.G.?
Back in 1737, the historic patriot, inventor, and apparent original gangsta published “The Drinker’s Dictionary” in the Pennsylvania Gazette, a list of 220 phrases to describe drunkenness (though there’s some controversy over the authorship).
Included in the list are plenty of proto-rap slang: burdock’d, buskey, buzzey, bowz’d, boozy, block and block, bewitch’d, and biggy. And those are just from the “B” section.
Here are a few of the Daily Dot’s other favorite phrases:
- He’s right before the Wind with all his Studding Sails out.
- He drank till he gave up his Half-Penny.
- Sir Richard has taken off his Considering Cap.
- Has Stole a Manchet out of the Brewer’s Basket.
- His Shoe pinches him.
“The Drinker’s Dictionary” has long been ripe a Family Guy aside or a YouTube recital, an oversight recently corrected in part by I Made America.
The Chicago-based comedy troupe hosts a Web series on YouTube, depicting the six founding fathers of America in modern scenarios, including, but not limited to, a “Shit Founding Fathers Say” segment. Each of the actors also maintains individual Twitter and Facebook accounts for his respective president.
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, the character of Benjamin Franklin read through “The Drinker’s Dictionary” in full, a surprisingly funny feat that took nearly six minutes to accomplish. Take a look.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to find either Sir John Goa or Sir John Strawberry.