[General] pile (put) on (the) lugs

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vil

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Dear teachers,

Would you tell me your opinion about the interpretations of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

He talks so refined, and oh, the lugs he put on ,- belted coat, and pique collar with a gold pin, and socks to match his necktie… (S. Lewis, “Main Street”)

“They put on a lot of lugs here, don’t they?” was his first remark. “Yes; they do,” said Carrie. (Th. Dreiser, “Sister Carrie”)

pile (put) on (the) lugs = throw one’s weight, put on a consequential air

Thank you for your efforts.

Regards,

V
 

Khosro

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Don't you think that "lugs" is another way to say "luxary"?
I can't find "lugs" or "put on lugs" in my dictionary.
 

Khosro

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Don't you think that "lugs" is another way to say "luxary"?
I can't find "lugs" or "put on lugs" in my dictionary.

Sorry, I have changed my mind. Lugs has nothing to do with luxary, simply because "gold pin" and others are not luxary here, they are lugs.

search for lugs in google images and see what they are. they are some kind of connectors used for machinaries and cables. Here "put on lugs" refers to him wearing things such as "gold pin" and ... . And I am talking about "main street" quatation not the other one.
 
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vil

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Hi Khosro,

In my humble opinion the term in question give an inkling of chick – “He talks so refined, and oh, he is so smartly dressed….”
This is my interpretation of the expression in question.

I know I am not appreciate properly at the present forum from my wild airy notions but I am I.

I think your first guessing was closer to the truth witch does not take away at all the meaning, the truthfulness of the other interpretation in your last post.

1: The ear. (1507 —) .

2:
to put (or pile) on lugs To put on airs. (1889 — 1920).
S. Lewis Oh, the lugs he puts on—belted coat, and piqué collar (1920).

3:
US A demand for money; esp. in phr. to put the lug on, to extort, to put pressure on. (1929 —) .

4:
mainly N Amer A lout; a sponger; a stupid person. (1931 —) .

B. Mather Any other names you can come up with?...You don't owe these lugs anything (1973).

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/lug-slang-term#ixzz1CbD5UIG9


http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/DREISER/ch46.html

Lug a large person, who works various labor jobs and drinks a lot of beer.
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Talking of reading, I have never got the "Edinburgh" 171/4. "They put on a lot of lugs here, don't they?

lug (v) = to carry or drag something around, requiring that a great amount of energy be used in the process.

I had to lug my bike on the train today because I got a puncture.

V.
 

Khosro

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2: to put (or pile) on lugs To put on airs. (1889 — 1920).

Now I take back both my interpretations. No need for further interpretations. "To put on airs" has got an obvious meaning and I think the problem is solved. But still I am interested about it's probable relation with "luxary" and the connectors named lugs. Thank you.
 
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