Regional Flourish: The 39 Steps Glossary of Slang
A Dig Deeper Article by Production Dramaturg Louise Casemore
Set amidst a sweeping range of locales throughout the United Kingdom, much of The 39 Steps and its multitudes of characters is a linguistic love letter to the Scottish countryside. In a story spanning the West End of London to the remote highland hills, there are a variety of British references and dialectical inflections along the way, evoking the manner and sound of the UK in 1935.
Bog – wetland or swamp
Bunk – hurried departure or escape
Charlady – a hired house cleaner similar to a maid
Communication Cord – emergency brake system on UK trains
Compere – character trope, energetic host of a variety show
Cor Blimey – British slang, expression or annoyance or surprise, derived from “God blind me”
Corker – British slang, something that is humorous, impressive, or surprising
Crofter – someone who works and often resides on a small farm
Fay Wray – 1930’s film actress and star of King Kong (iconic damsel in distress type)
Garibaldi – biscuit or snack cookie
Heather – commonplace plant variety in Scotland
Inveterate – stubborn person who would be unlikely to change or be swayed
Itinerant – someone or something that is travelling or moving around
Ken – Scottish slang, to know or understand
Liverish – British slang, feeling sick or unwell
Moors – uncultivated land without forest, signature terrain of the Scottish countryside
Mr. Memory – character trope, variety show guest whose talent is being able to answer any question
Munch-like – reference to the classic Edward Munch painting “Scream”
Pound Note – reference to British currency, akin to a dollar bill
Pudding – British slang, dessert
Race meeting – occasions where a series of horse races are held
Trilby – a hat, similar in style to the fedora