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Old Man from thr Mountain is Coming Home

tmal

One of the Regulars
Messages
116
Location
NYS
Just listened to this old song and I noticed something for the first time. There is reference to someone called Joe the Grinder. In this connection, who or what is a grinder?
 

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
33,715
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
Early 20th century African-American slang for the kind of guy who goes after the wives or girlfriends of prisoners or men otherwise out of town. Named for the habit of "grinding" up against said women at dances to express their particular intentions.
 

ChiTownScion

Call Me a Cab
Messages
2,247
Location
The Great Pacific Northwest
Used in military cadences ("Jody calls") in the form of "Jody." Joe the Grinder -->Joe D.--> Jody. Jody is essentially the guy back home who's stealing your gal, driving your car, drinking your best liquor, etc., while you're off serving Uncle Sam.

One of the "cleaner" variations:


Jody Jody six foot four!
(platoon repeat)
Jody's never been whipped before
(platoon repeat)
I'm gonna take a 96
(platoon repeat)
And put big Jody in a great big fix
 

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