H. L. Mencken,
The American Language — Ham-American
(1919)
“ Lardner also very kindly wrote the following for the present work. A ham, of course, means a fifth-rate actor. The scene is the sidewalk in front of the Lambs Club. The two hams, meeting, stop for a chat.] FIRST HAM—Have you seen Craven?SECOND HAM—Yes, I was in Thursday.FIRST HAM—Its a great troupe. [1] SECOND HAM—I give him the notion. I says to him last summer, I says, Frank, I got a great notion for you. He says, What is it, Charley? So then I give him the notion.FIRST HAM—Its a great troupe. I enjoyed every minute, if you know what I mean.SECOND HAM—I give him the notion. ”
