Word: gopher
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...Gopher Backs Just...
California. Pasadena cops writing an examination for sergeant's ratings found themselves unable to define such low-down underworld terms as gopher (safeblower), third rail (incorruptible official), derrick (shoplifter) and kite (a letter sneaked past the warden). Crooks don't talk that way in Pasadena, they complained. The chief of police agreed, ordered all "detective fiction crime terms" stricken from the exam. Said one cop who got a higher score than his mates: "I'd read a short story in the Saturday Evening Post the night before, so I knew most of the answers...