subs. (American).—Every-day fare. [A phrase of Western origin, at first restricted in its meaning, but now including ordinary transactions as compared to those either large or peculiarly profitable; applied to men, actions, and things. ‘What shall we do?’ says a poor frontiersman’s wife, when she hears of a Federal Officer who is to take up his quarters at her cabin for a day; ‘I can’t give him COMMON-DOINGS.’]
1835. HALIBURTON (‘Sam Slick’), The Clockmaker, 3 S. I guess I’ll order supper. What shall it be? Cornbread and COMMON DOINS, or wheatbread and chicken fixins?
