Elaborate
jargon of
short-order cooks,
waitresses,
waiters, and
soda jerks in late 19th/early
20th century American diners and soda fountains.
Numerical code: (duplicates reflect regional variations)
2 1/2 - Small glass of milk
5 - Large glass of milk
13 - Boss is nearby
14 - Special order
19 - Banana Split
21 - Limeade/Orangeade
22 - Two limeades/Customer's check has not been paid
23 - Scram
30 - Closing time
31 - Orangeade/Lemonade
33 - Cherry coke
36 - Postum
41 - Glass of milk/Orangeade/Lemonade
42 - Two glasses of milk
51 - Hot chocolate
52 - Two hot chocolates
55 - Root beer
55 1/2 - Small root beer
66 - dirty dishes
73 - best wishes
81 - glass of water/root beer
82 - two glasses of water
86 - sold out or unavailable
87 1/2 - attractive girl alert
95 - customer is walking out without paying
98 - assistant manager is near
99 - head soda man/manager is coming
Sources: Paul Dickson, Words, 1982;
The Calls Used in Soda Fountains, <http://www.sodafountain.com/history/hiscalls.htm> (16 February 2001)