sell wolf tickets

present singular third person sells wolf tickets · participle present selling wolf tickets · participle past sold wolf tickets · past sold wolf tickets · alternative sell woof tickets

1. African-American VernacularTo make threats or boasts, especially if empty and/or if made to intimidate someone.

   It's plenty people selling wolf tickets, you know.

   1974, Vernon E. Smith, The Jones Men, page 165, quoted in The Routledge Dictionary of Modern American Slang (2008)

   4 more examples

   I stood there in silence listening to Ollie build himself up by selling wolf tickets about what he planned to do to me.

   2007, Stanley Tookie Williams, Blue Rage, Black Redemption: A Memoir, page 59

   The two of them played about four hands of spades, each of which was close but as usual, Yvonne won. Of course, she had to sell wolf tickets after the win. "The next time you come over Mchael, I'll let you win." "Let me win?" he asked incredulously.

   2009, Crystal Y. Dixon, Destiny's Time, →ISBN, page 43

   A lot of selling of wolf tickets but never any blood. I wish they would kill one of themselves so there would be some peace around here.

   2010, Theodore Dallas Ashford, A Lone Pine Traveler, →ISBN, page 145

   Dock has never fired a gun at anyone. He may possibly have sold a reporter a handful of wolf tickets.

   2013, NICK DIAZ, UFC"You (St. Pierre) told the fans that I deserve to get beat down, that I chased you around. I got the fight, right? I'm working towards something, everybody knows that. Sorry I had to [say you were scared] to get the fight. They're selling you (fans and media) all wolf tickets people, you're eating them right up. Georges here is selling wolf tickets. Dana here is selling wolf tickets. The UFC is selling wolf tickets. You guys are eating them right up."

   2010, Donald Hall, Dock Ellis in the Country of Baseball, →ISBN, page 164