Marshy land.
1819. Slashes means flat clayey land which retains water on the surface after showers. From this comes the adjective, slashy.—David Thomas, ‘Travels,’ p. 230 (Auburn, N.Y.). (Italics in the original.)
1833. “Is there a ferry here?” inquired Edgarton. “Oh no, sir, its nothing but a slash.” “What’s that?” “Why, sir, jist a sort o’ swamp.”—James Hall, ‘Legends of the West,’ p. 190 (Phila.). (Italics in the original.)
1833. There ’s a powerful chance of the biggest bull-frogs you ever see, down in the slash yander.—The same, ‘The Harpe’s Head,’ p. 152 (Phila.).
1849. The mill boy of the slashes went to the mill with his bag of corn, and the streamers hanging out behind. The woman asked him why his mother did not put a patch on. “Why,” said he, “she is busy at a sewing society, making clothes to be sent to the Greeks.”—Mr. Sawyer of Ohio, House of Repr., Jan. 10: Cong. Globe, p. 215.
