jawbone

West, Slang

DCHP-1 (pre-1967)

This entry may contain outdated or offensive information, terms, and examples.

credit (presumably because the jawbone had to be exercised in speaking to win over the creditor).

Quotations

1865

Flour is selling at 45 cents; beans, 50; sugar, 75; bacon, 75; fresh beef, 25 and 30, on jaw-bone; clothing is cheaper here than at Yale.

1908

Jawbone is the western word for credit. I lack the art of using mine persuasively.

1923

I have to extend "jawbone" credit, much as I would like to do business on a cash basis.

1957

Indians were constantly seeking "jawbone," or credit and this raised a continuing economic problem for post operation.

1966

The mower parts would have been charged or, in the language of the country, put on his jawbone.