Chapter 11

Page 73

a definite Pasadena
The phrase “take a Pasadena” began as a Hollywood–Los Angeles pun in the early 1930s, that is, to take a pass, as in decline an offer

Atlanta, G.A.
Al Capone was sent to Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary in May 1932, aged 33.

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Aggravated Mopery
“Mopery” is mock police jargon dating from the early 20th century. It meant, depending on who was joking, "loitering aimlessly," "doing nothing in particular," or "committing an imaginary minor offense." The "charge" of "mopery" was often used in humor columns, radio comedy, and police-court parody sketches to poke fun at petty law enforcement. Adding "aggravated" just made it sound even more absurd, a send-up of inflated legal language.