“Snookers” is the latest

Coined by the Mayor, Who Would Like to Snook a Bit Himself.

The New York Times, March 19, 1906

New York’s political lexicon has acquired a new word. It is snook; it refers to newspaper attacks or ridicule.

It was used by Mayor McClellan on Saturday night while he was talking with a group of his friends, including the reporter and Representative Samuel McCall at the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner at Delmonico’s.

Half a dozen reporters sat facing the Mayor just as the speeches were about to begin. Mr. McClellan, who was in a pleasant frame of mind, was telling stories.

“How’d you like to be back in this game?” asked one reporter, referring to the Mayor’s early training as a newspaper man.

“Well,” replied the Mayor, smiling, “I’ve been snooked by more or less kindly recently that I’m beginning to wish I were a snooker once more myself and snook a little against the knockers who are snooking me.” Then he laughed.

“Why not join them a bit?” suggested Mr. McCall.

“I’m not proficient enough in the art,” retorted the Mayor with a grin. “That’s a science on which the Talleyrands and Machiavellis of Washington must have a monopoly.”