subs. phr. (originally American, now common).—Low class fiction: generally applied to works dealing with the exploits of desperadoes, cut-throats, and other criminals: also AWFULS, PENNY DREADFULS, GUTTER LITERATURE, SHILLING SHOCKERS, etc., all of which see.
1876. Portland Transcript, May. Here let me say one word to the Transcript mothers. Look carefully to your child’s reading matter. Beware of the cheap, trashy romances, the BLOOD AND THUNDER TALES by Tom, Dick and Harry, which fill the counters of so many of our book-stores.
1883. Daily News, March 26, 2, col. 3. The BLOOD AND THUNDER tragedies generally associated with the transpontine drama.
