ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume III, Issue 126, 1 October 1875, Page 10

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Bbin. — The word loafer, although now anglicised by use, is properly German, being laufer, a vagabond, or an unsettled roamer about the country. H. Piekck.— Boss is spolb with one "a." The word, although in much nso in America, is from the Dutch baas, -which signifies master. Chap, signifying a boy or youth, comes from the Gypsy dialect. In the language of the Gypsies the word chabo signifies a " lad," a " son." Hence chap. MOTJHT Be^oeb. — You are right. There has been some controversy as to the authorship of the "Exile of Erin," and it is asserted that it was written by George N. Eeynolds. It has, however, been generally accredited to Campbell. His other Irish poems are " O'Connor's Child" and "The Harper." Inquirer —You are wrong. Singer was an eminent manufacturer, but not the inventor of the sowing machine. The inventor was Elias Howe, who obtained a patent in the year 1841. DtTBBO. — " Erin-go-Bragh" means "Ireland forever." Thos. Byajt (Wanganui). — "We believe the term applied in this Colony to the class of persons you speak of is "canaries ;" but in Paris they are designated claqueurs. M: . Stanton has the credit of being the originator of the idea. Thoir duty was, on the presentation of a new play, to lead the audience, by -applauding at the right time. It is stated that in Paris, when there is a doubt about the success of a now piece, as many as 500 claqueurs are cent to applaud it. Each of these have parts assigned them, the laughers must laugh at every joke ; the weepers are to weep at all the moving passages ; while others are appointed to encore particular parts of the performance. Although we Lave certainly . - heard of "canaries" in the Colony, we think they are seldom employed.