Glossary of terms for The Outsiders


Chapter 1

Paul Newman (b. 1925) 
Popular actor known for his good looks and blue eyes.

Corvair 
A Chevrolet automobile model.

Madras 
A fine, firm cotton cloth, usually striped or plaid, used for shirts, dresses, and so on.

Will Rogers (born William Penn Adair Rogers) (1879-1935) 
U.S. humorist and actor.

The cooler [Slang] 
Jail.

Savvy [Slang] 
To understand; get the idea.



Chapter 2

The fuzz [Slang] 
A policeman or the police.

Chessy cat [Slang] 
Cheshire cat, a proverbial grinning cat from Cheshire, England, especially one described in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

Weed [Informal] 
A cigar or cigarette.



Chapter 3	

Buckskin 
A yellowish-gray horse.

Ornery 
1. having an ugly or mean disposition 2. obstinate.

Quarter 
Short for "quarter horse," any of a breed of light, muscular horse of a solid, usually dark color: because of its quick reactions, it is much used in Western range work and in rodeos.

Soused [Slang] 
Intoxicated.

Snooker 
A variety of the game of pool played with fifteen red balls and six other balls.

Cur 
A dog of mixed breed; mongrel.



Chapter 4

Pickled [Slang] 
Intoxicated; drunk.

Hank Williams (born Hiram Williams) (1923-53) 
U.S. country music singer and composer.

Corn-poney [Slang] 
Unsophisticated, cornball.

Premonition 
1. a warning in advance; a forewarning. 2. a feeling that something, especially something bad, will happen; foreboding; presentiment.



Chapter 5

Peroxide 
Hydrogen peroxide, a liquid used to bleach hair.

Gallant 
1. showy and lively in dress or manner 2. stately; imposing 3 brave and noble; high-spirited and daring.

Robert Frost (1874-1963) 
U.S. poet.

T-bird [Slang] 
A Ford Thunderbird.

Elude 
To avoid or escape from by quickness, cunning, and so on; evade.
heater    [Slang] a pistol.



Chapter 6

JD 
Short for juvenile delinquent.



Chapter 7

Exploit 
An act remarkable for brilliance or daring; bold deed.

Contemptuously 
In a manner full of contempt; scornfully; disdainfully



Chapter 8

Groggy 
Shaky or dizzy, as from a blow; sluggish or dull, as from lack of sleep.

Doggedly
Not giving in readily; persistent; stubborn.

Booze-hound [Slang] 
A drunk.



Chapter 9

Conformity 
The condition or fact of being in harmony or agreement; correspondence; congruity; similarity.

Amplifier 
1. a person or thing that amplifies 2. Electronics a device, especially one with electron tubes or semiconductors, used to increase the strength of an electric signal.



Chapter 10

Stupor 
A state in which the mind and senses are dulled; partial or complete loss of sensibility, as from the use of a narcotic or from shock.

Indignant 
Feeling or expressing anger or scorn, especially at unjust, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment.



Chapter 11

Guardian 1. a person who guards, protects, or takes care of another person, property, and so on; custodian. 2. a person legally placed in charge of the affairs of a minor or of a person of unsound mind.



Chapter 12

Perry Mason
A television drama from the l960s that featured a lawyer by the same name