Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
All-Fool's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
anybodypronounUS /ˈenibədi/
any person at all
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
April
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
April-foolings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
back
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From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
big
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From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
bit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
boy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
Boy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
boys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
brickbats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
cellar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
character
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
coat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
crowd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
dare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
Day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
dignity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
fellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
fellow's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
fill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
flock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
FoolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
girl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
girl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
got
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
harmless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
hat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
holloing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
kick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
maybe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
mean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
Most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
Oh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
paper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
person
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
pick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
piece
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
pin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
pullednounUS /pulled/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
shame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
sidewalk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
silly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
Sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
stooped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
string
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
stuck-up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
supposenounUS /ˈsuppose/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I do not think they distinguished between it and All-Fool's Day in character or dignity.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
tied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
Town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
trick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
WhatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Sometimes a crowd of boys got a bit with a hole in it, and tied a string in it, and laid it on the sidewalk, and then hid in a cellar, and when anybody stooped to pick it up, they pulled it in.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
wild-geese
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading I do not suppose there is a boy now living who is silly enough to play this trick on anybody, or mean enough to fill an old hat with rocks and brickbats, and dare a fellow to kick it; but in the Boy's Town there were some boys who did this; and then the fellow had to kick the hat, or else come under the shame of having taken a dare.
write
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading About the best thing you could do then was to write April Fool on a piece of paper and pin it to a fellow's back, or maybe a girl's, if she was a big girl, and stuck-up, or anything.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Most of the April-foolings were harmless enough, like saying, "Oh, see that flock of wild-geese flying over!" and "What have you got on the back of your coat!" and holloing "April Fool!" as soon as the person did it.
