1 definition by Ted 2016
Old US slang from the 1920s/30s meaning to 'Beat it' 'Scram' 'Move it' 'Get Going' etc. 'Taking a powder' was a commonplace phrase pre-WW2 particularly in the medical field where a doctor would instruct his patient "to take a powder" post assessment.
In American usage, the "powder room" is a euphemism for the ladies lavatory, and the phrase "to powder one's nose" indicates the immediate exit of a lady toward this room. Thus, to "take a powder" is to leave, rather quickly, but with discretion, and without further comment. It appeared in movie and gangster novel lingo in the 1920's.
In American usage, the "powder room" is a euphemism for the ladies lavatory, and the phrase "to powder one's nose" indicates the immediate exit of a lady toward this room. Thus, to "take a powder" is to leave, rather quickly, but with discretion, and without further comment. It appeared in movie and gangster novel lingo in the 1920's.
EXAMPLES:
1) In 1941 song "Let's get away from it all" , Frank Sinatra w/ Tommy Dorsey Sings "....Let's take a powder to Boston for chowder" (ie lets vanish away for a vacation to Boston to eat some chowder)
2) George Raft in the 1939 Film Each Dawn I Die instructs he gangster colleagues to powder after their meeting.
1) In 1941 song "Let's get away from it all" , Frank Sinatra w/ Tommy Dorsey Sings "....Let's take a powder to Boston for chowder" (ie lets vanish away for a vacation to Boston to eat some chowder)
2) George Raft in the 1939 Film Each Dawn I Die instructs he gangster colleagues to powder after their meeting.
by Ted 2016 December 31, 2016