whitewashed painted with a mixture of lime, whiting, size, water, etc.
graybacks [Slang] lice.
swamper here, a general handyman and person responsible for cleaning out the barn.
tick the cloth case or covering that is filled with cotton, feathers, hair, etc. to form a mattress or pillow.
sacking a cheap, coarse cloth woven of flax, hemp, or jute.
stable buck reference to Crooks, who is responsible for taking care of the horses.
skinner [Informal] a (mule) driver.
pugnacious eager and ready to fight; quarrelsome; combative.
in the ring in the sport or profession of boxing.
slough get rid of; in this case, to fire.
derogatory disparaging; belittling.
"she got the eye" said of Curley's wife, meaning that she flirts and is interested in men other than her husband.
tart a promiscuous woman.
stake a share or interest, as in property, a person, or a business venture.
mule a lounging slipper that does not cover the heel.
"he's eatin' raw eggs" refers to the notion that eating raw eggs increases sexual performance.
"writin' to the patent medicine houses" here, meaning that Curley is writing to mail-order businesses for medicines that increase sexual performance.
jerk-line skinner the main driver of a mule team, who handles the reins (jerk-line).
"on the wheeler's butt" on the rump of the wheel horse, the horse harnessed nearest the front wheels of a vehicle.
temple dancer a dancer known for delicate hand movements.
slang past tense of "sling," meaning to cast out; in this case, give birth to.
