ARCHLI

split

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

1) A division.


The fiery spirit which has occasioned a split among the British Archæologists, would appear not yet to have burnt itself out, &c.--London Athenæum, p. 840.

There was a split in the Democratic Convention in Baltimore, caused by the Old Hunkers and Barnburners of New York.--Newspaper.

The split in the Whig organization, if it come to anything serious, will extend beyond the Presidential election.--Letter from Boston, N. Y. Herald, June 21, 1848.

2) A rapid pace or rate of going. 'He went full split,' i. e. as hard as he could drive. 'To go like split,' is a common expression in New England.

There was no ox-teams [in New York] such as we have in Downingville; but there was no end to the one-hoss teams, goin' like split all over the city.--Maj. Downing, May-day in New York, p 64.

TO SPLIT

To go at a rapid pace; to drive along. Used in the phrase, 'As hard as he could split.'

The thing tuk first rate, and I set the niggers a drummin' and fifin' as hard as they could split right afore the cabin door.--Maj. Jones's Courtship.

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

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