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Silent Sam. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
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English
Etymology
From silent (“speechless, mute”) + Sam (“diminutive of male given name Samuel”). From ante 1920.
Pronunciation
Noun
Silent Sam (plural Silent Sams)
- (informal, sometimes used attributively) A person who seldom or never speaks; a taciturn or unresponsive individual.
1983 Mar, “Sam Pierce Hangs Tough”, in Black Enterprise, volume 13, number 8, page 43:But because Pierce has usually avoided the news media and gone about his work in the quiet behind-the-scenes way that brought him eminence as a top New York City litigator, the press has derisively tagged him "Silent Sam."
2002, Jack Womack, Going, Going, Gone, →ISBN, page 47:Now he threw the Silent Sam treatment on me.
2008, Sara Pope, Team Leader Workbook, →ISBN, pages 4–31:It's hard to get input from the Silent Sam even with a direct question—this person just doesn't have anything to say.
2011, Linda Carter Sobell, Mark B. Sobell, Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorders, →ISBN, page 205:With Silent Sam clients it is important for group leaders to make active and continuous efforts to get them involved in the group.
- (informal, by extension) A machine, device, etc. which operates without making noticeable sound.
1919, Victor Appleton, chapter 17, in Tom Swift and His Air Scout:"I've named my new noiseless aeroplane—Army Air Scout—I've named that Silent Sam. Wait until you hear it, or rather, don't hear it, and I think you'll agree with me. Silent Sam for Uncle Sam!"
1977 July, Richard West, “Reporter: Law and Order”, in Texas Monthly, volume 5, number 7, page 64:Or if you're a coward, there's Silent Sam ($1950), an automated early-warning safety robot flagman.
- (informal) A mixed alcoholic beverage, usually containing vodka, a cola soft drink, and other ingredients.
2010, “Silent Sam Mix Cocktail Recipe”, in www.1001cocktails.com, retrieved 20 April 2011:Ingredients: 13 oz vodka, 1 liter cola, (pepsi, coca cola...), 6-10 scoops iced tea. . . . Add all ingredients to a punch bowl.
Usage notes
- Usage was popularized by the wordless Silent Sam comic strip, created by Oscar Jacobsson in 1920. However, there were earlier usages, especially as a nickname for sports celebrities.
Translations
person who speaks seldom and little
See also
- Alibi Ike, Dapper Dan, dismal Dora, doubting Thomas, dreamy Daniel, fancy Dan, Gentleman Jim, gloomy Gus, good-time Charlie, lazy Lawrence, nervous Nellie, nervous Purvis, plain Jane, sneaky Pete
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