I’m always interested in slang, and one tidbit I picked up somewhere is that the term “hoodlum” originated in San Francisco — seems like it should have jumped to life in Brooklyn, or the London slums, but no. Right here.
Tony Oertel just popped in a link to some very thorough background on those origins, including a mastermind nicknamed Fagin (for you Charles Dickens fans, and who isn’t?). Cites for contemporary newspaper articles. Maps.
If you also like that sort of thing, as usual knock yourself out.
