The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

GANG TALK

"MY MOTHER EXPLAINED TO ME A LITTLE OF THE LANGUAGE MY DAD USED TO
USE WITH HIS BUDDIES WHEN THEY WERE SMALL. APPARENTLY IT WAS A TYPE
OF PIG LATIN IN WHICH 1. THE FIRST LETTER WAS DROPPED. 2. THE REST
OF THE WORD WAS SPOKEN, THEN 3. THE FIRST LETTER WITH A LONG "A" WAS
ADDED TO THE END. THEY WOULD CHANGE EVERY WORD IN THE CONVERSATION
IN THIS MANNER, AND WOULD TALK FAST TO CONFUSE THE 'UNEDUCATED '
LISTENER."

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: 11-15-1972