Dude #37 - Dude - from the Swahili? Swa - what???

In May of 1885, about two years after the word "Dude" first mysteriously appeared on the scene, the ad-men at Rogers, Peet & Co., proffered a purported etymology for the word.  It came, they said, from Swahili.  

As evidence, they cite the Rev. Dr. G. W. Hervey, who found the answer in the Handbook of the Swahili Language (as Spoken at Zanzibar), by Edward Steere, LL.D., Missionary Bishop for Central Africa.  With so many titles, abbreviations and initials, both academic and religious - who could doubt it?

Or was it just a joke?  

Of course it was just a joke.  

But that does not mean that it was not based, in part, on some realities.  The Rev. Dr. G. W. Hervey was an actual Baptist minister, and prolific religious writer.  Edward Steere was a missionary to Africa and wrote a handbook of Swahili.  The handbook actually does list the word, "dude" (pronounced doo-day), plural, "madude," meaning, "a what-is-it? A thing of which you don't know or have forgotten the name."

And, Robert Sale-Hill, who first introduced the word, "dude," in early 1883, claimed (years later) to have had, "over a year’s experience in some of the wildest country in Africa . . . ." Outing, Volume 26, Number 6, September 1895.

Hmmm?????

The Sun (New York), May 27, 1885.

The Dude an African.  Evidently the Early Missionaries to Africa were considered Dudes, and our sketch suggests a possible scene as novel to the natives as it was uncomfortablt to the missionary.

We hope eventually to help supply all Africa with thin clothes.  At present, however, our mission is to clothe Americans, especially New Yorkers.  We keep literally everything worn by the male sex, and for a very small consideration, will supply your complete outfit, men's spring suits, $10 to $35; youths' suits, $7.50 to $30; boys' suits, $3.50 to $22.  Furnishing goods at attractive prices; shoes and hats, ditto.

Rogers, Peet & Co., 

Clothes, Hats and Shoes,

569-575 Broadway.

Opposite Metropolitan Hotel.

Dude #35 Rogers & Peet - "Too, too!"

During 1883, the men's clothing store, Rogers & Peet, capitalized on the "Dude" craze by running a series of ads featuring "dudes."

This is the second of the series. [See also, Prudence vs. Imprudence, A Yankee Dude'll Do, and Dude - from Swahili?]

As with its earlier ad (Dude #34), Rogers & Peet again skewers the "Dude" (this time by name), criticizing his choice of a short overcoat.  They also criticized "old fogy clothiers" who continued selling long overcoats, despite changes in fashion.  Instead, they recommended buying a new, fashionable, middle-length overcoat - at Rogers & Peet, of course.  The expression, "too, too," used to describe the happy medium, was a then-current, lah-de-dah phrase associated with dandyism, dudism, and the aesthetic movement associated with Oscar Wilde:

The Sun, March 22, 1883.

The now celebrated “Dude” wears his overcoat too short because he is a “Dude;” the Old Fogy Clothiers try to make sensible people wear theirs too long just because the aforesaid O. F. C.’s have made up long-tailed overcoats and afterward discovered that styles do occasionally change.  Our spring overcoats are neither too short, nor too long, but a happy medium that every man who regards the appearance of his attire will appreciate.

We would like nothing better than to keep our entire force busy during the next two weeks showing our finest spring overcoats to gentlemen who never buy ready-made clothes.

Rogers, Peet & Co.,

Men's and Boys' Outfitters,

569-575 Broadway, 

Opposite

Metropolitan Hotel

Dude #33 - Latest Fashions of 1886 - Dome-Top Dude Derby

St Paul Daily Globe, June 6 1886, page 9.

Dude #12 - An April Fool.

Life, Volume 1, Number 13, March 29, 1883, page 149.

Although the word dude does not appear in this cartoon, the image clearly shows a man matching the general description of a Dude; pointy shoes, tight trousers, silver-tipped cane, and a short overcoat with tails sticking out the back. 

Dude #2 - Cover Art for The True History and Origin of "The Dude"

Dude Descending a Staircase

Henry Alexander Ogden, cover art for Robert Sale-Hill's, The History & Origin of the "Dude," New York, Rogers & Sherwood [(1883?)].

Click here to read the original poem, in its entirety:

Dude #31 - A Yankee Dude'll do

The Sun (New York), September 22, 1883.

But the joke was already old by then:

Charley quite outwitted: She leaned her head upon his shoulder and said, in her most insinuating tones: “Charley, dear, I’ve heard so much about dudes I want you to get me one.” 

Charley smiled at her innocence, but resolved to humor it.  “Would you prefer a French dude?” he asked.

“I think not,” she answered, squirming coyly.  “How would a German dude suit?”

I don’t think it would suit at all.  I don’t understand German.”

“Well, what shall it e, then?”

It was her turn to smile as she said, with an arch look:

“A Yankee dude’ll do.”

- Brooklyn Eagle.

The Evening Star (Washington DC), July 28, 1883, page 7.

Puck, Volume 13, page 202.