AtD translation: patent dinner pail

[L E Bryan]

I read that to mean a “real” dinner pail instead of a container that would do the job, but not an actual or patented dinner pail. Sometimes the word “patented” is used to indicate “real” or “authentic”.


> On Dec 28, 2017, at 7:18 PM, Mike Jing <gravitys.rainbow.cn at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> P27.31-35   “Dally, ya little weasel,” Merle greeted her, “the corn liquor’s all gone, I fear, it’ll have to be back to the old cow juice for you, real sorry,” as he went rummaging in a patent dinner pail filled with ice. The child, meanwhile, having caught sight of the Chums in their summer uniforms, stood gazing, her eyes wide, as if deciding how well behaved she ought to be.
> 
> Is a "patent dinner pail" a dinner pail with patent leather on the outside? Or more likely, glossy like patent leather?
> 
> 

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