While I do strive to be as historically accurate as possible, I do want you to know that some creative liberties were taken. The politicians and gangsters mentioned in this story are all fictional—if there is someone with these particular names or gangster nicknames, it is purely a coincidence and should not be taken literally.
There are numerous slang words and vocabulary specific to the 1920s (along with a few Italian words). Below is an alphabetical list of what has been used and what it means. This list will be updated with each chapter posted.
bella - translates to "pretty" in Italian, typically used with feminine-eqsue things
blind tiger - slang for a speakeasy
bluenose - a prude
bootlegging - the illegal production, transport, distribution, or sale of alcohol, typically during Prohibition
Butterick Publishing Company - a major source of sewing patterns during the 1920s
Coco Chanel - yes, the one you're thinking of - a revolutionary French fashion designer
doll - girl, woman
green door - many speakeasies were identifiable with green painted doors
hood - punk/hoodlum/gangster
kick off - kill someone
pipe - see or notice
rat - to tattle
rouge - a red powder or cream used as a cosmetic for coloring the or lips.
Sabbath - a day of religious and from work, kept by Jewish people from Friday evening to Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday.
stout - the go-to to describe women who were above the average weight - think plus size.
TRIGGER WARNINGS:
Future death, body shaming, period typical misogyny, alcohol consumption, abusive family relations, morally ambiguous characters, TBA
YOU ARE READING
If You Could Only See
Historical FictionIt's 1922. Prohibition started roughly over two years ago, and alcohol consumption is at an all time high. To those who wanted to make a decent buck, that was the route you needed to take. Lavinia "Vinnie" Lawrence was, for the most part, book-smart...
