i bumped into this word when reading the novel The Black Dahlia. It bothers me because I've no idea what it is. I've googled it but found no definition. Would any one please help me with this? Also i'm wondering what a "potter's field" is.
Thanks in advance!!
2006-09-15 04:52:46 · 14 answers · asked by Sharky 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
IN addition to the answer you already have, the term dick came from a comic strip called dick tracy. All detectives became knows as *****.
The answer for potters field above is also correct however there is another use of it in american culture. See the movie "its a wonderful life"
their is also another use of potters field which is a slang referance to any cemetary with a section for the poor. If you can't afford your own funeral and no one is around to bury you, you may get a plot on potters row or potters field. Its the part of the cemetary reserved for the homeless etc.
This tradition dates back many centuries. Motzart was burried in a potters row as he died broke. His grave was shared by many. They dug up a whole row much like a long trench. They then pile the bodies in and when full cover it all up. Such a mass grave are often refered to as a potters row or potters field.
2006-09-15 05:07:46 · answer #1 · answered by john d 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Dick" is a slang word for "detective" from the early to mid 20th century. (It has nothing to do with the more current usage of "dick" meaning "jerk.") So a homicide dick is a detective who investigates murders. The term is found frequently in crime novels from the time of the Black Dahlia case, usually applied to a police detective rather than a private eye. (By the way, "private eye" has nothing to do with eyes or seeing, it's from "P.I." for "Private Investigator," as in "Magnum P.I.")
A potter's field is a place for the burial of unknown or indigent people. (Not just the one in New York.) The origin is from the Bible. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potter%27s_field
2006-09-15 05:05:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a large d1ld0 you use to kill someone with.
I keed
Dick is slang for detective a homicide dick is a police detective who investigates murders.
Any cemetary used to bury those without family or someone to claim the body is a potters field.
2006-09-15 05:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A homicide Dick is an investigator of homicides. They distrust instinctively, and come off as *****(jerks). Potters field is on Rikers Island, where inmates bury nameless deceased people.In New York
2006-09-15 04:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Dyma 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A homicide DETECTIVE. "Dick" an old nickname for detective. Potter's Field is where those without anyone to claim their body and those who have no means of paying for burial expenses are laid to rest.
2006-09-15 07:33:45 · answer #5 · answered by Sherry K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a detective.
Potter's field is also a reference to the land bought by the Jewish priests when Judas threw his 30 pieces of silver (blood money) back into the temple.
2006-09-15 05:01:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Slang for homicide detective. 'Dick' is what detectives used to be called. No negative or phallic connotations implied.
2006-09-15 05:01:15 · answer #7 · answered by B77KMJ3321Z 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Dick" is slang for detective. Therefore, a homicide "dick" is one who investigates murders.
2006-09-15 07:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by SassySours 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a "homicide dick" is simply slang for that era meaning homicide detective. gumshoe,etc.
2006-09-15 05:54:42 · answer #9 · answered by breezy b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A homocide dick is a thingee that is so big it kills its owner to lug it around all day.
2006-09-15 05:02:11 · answer #10 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋