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"Lettin[g] the rough side drag."

Posted by Sam Lanham on December 01, 2005

"Lettin[g] the rough side drag." I first saw this phrase in a Texas appeals court opinion back in the 1950's or 1960's. I don't recall the context but the judge was wondering what it meant. I searched without success for years. Finally, an African American friend in East Texas told me it is usually a response to "how are you doing?" or some such greeting. It means, according to her, "I'm having a bad day." Other than in the court opinion, I've never seen it in print. Anyone have any information about this one?

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