sparrow grass

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

A vulgar pronunciation of asparagus both in England and America. Hence the celebrated charade by a certain alderman:


"My first is a little thing vot hops,--(sparrow)

My second brings us good hay crops,--(grass)

My whole I eats with mutton chops,"--(sparrow grass.)--Pegge, Anecdotes of the Eng. Lang., p. 54.

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