Some speculative associations:
red wop = Italian communist = Sacco and Vanzetti?
Italy had a strong communist party throughout most of the twentieth century I think,
with a communist mayor in at least one major city.
Although not in America until 1940, he still might of followed the Sacco and Vanzetti case from Europe.
Technically Sacco and Vanzetti were anarchists; perhaps for VN close enough to commies.
Powder = gun powder?
On Feb 18, 2010, at 2:33 PM, Matthew Roth wrote:
A simple query. VN, we are told, found "delightful" the mirror words powder and "red wop." What does red wop mean? I read somewhere that it was slang word for cheap Italian wine. Is that right? If so, why is this particular inversion delightful? Is there some connection between powder and wine that I'm missing?
Thanks,
Matt Roth
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