From The Catcher in The Rye...

[BobK]

Oh yes - we have the lteral and figurative meanings in Br Eng too. I was just saying that the figurative meaning (commoner, I think) didn't make much sense to me until I met the literal meaning.

b

[Eway]

Why is it flitty to say "try this on"?

Besides, there's another sentence from the same book that I don't understand:
"They were both around seventy years old, or even more than that. They got a bang out of things, though--in a half-assed way."

What does "got a bang out of things in a half-assed way" mean?

[Ouisch]

Originally Posted by Eway

What does "got a bang out of things in a half-assed way" mean?

To get a bang out of something means that you're impressed with it in an enjoyable manner. You got a thrill or a sense of excitement out of it.


Half-assed is a slang term (commonly used, but some folks might consider it vulgar) meaning incompetent or careless.

In your quote, however, it implies that the older gentlemen were getting enjoyment out of something that wasn't necessarily funny or enjoyable, or something that other people would find objectionable.

For example:
"I know the show South Park is vulgar, but in a half-assed way, I get a bang out of little children using such foul language."