Date: Fri, 22 May 1998 14:04:34 -0400
From: Jesse T Sheidlower
Subject: Re: Scumbag (continued)

> I remember hearing _scum_ used as a designation for semen as a young
> teenager in the early 50s in Bellingham WA. The general meaning of _scum_
> would seem to make this specific usage among active and poetic teenagers
> almost inevitable.

Our earliest cite for _scum_ 'semen' is 1922, which is, conveniently,
13 years before our first _scumbag_ 'condom'. I can't remember the
source offhand (I'm not in the office now).

Jesse Sheidlower
RHHDAS