Here are some terms you will hear in the show that you may not be familiar with:
- Bully! - Popularized by U.S. President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt as a term of commendation or approval
- San Juan Hill - A reference to the Battle of San Juan Hill, a major battle of the Spanish-American War that took place in 1898
- Sanitarium - An establishment or facility offering usually long-term medical care or treatment
- Canal lock - A rectangular chamber with gates at both ends that allows boats to be raised or lowered between different water levels in a canal or river
- Publish the banns - To publish an engagement notice in a newspaper
- Thoreau - A reference to 19th-century American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau
- Methodist - A denomination of the Christian faith
- Pirandello - A reference to Italian author and dramatist Luigi Pirandello, whose work was a precursor to Theatre of the Absurd
- Kith and kin- One's acquaintances and relatives
- Yellow Fever - A type of viral disease transmitted by mosquitos; earlier efforts to build the Panama Canal had been hampered by severe outbreaks of the disease
- Elderberry - The fruit of the elder tree; used for centuries for medicinal purposes, it can also be made into wine, tea, and jam
- Piccalilli - A relish made from chopped and pickled vegetables and spices
- Arsenic, Strychnine, Cyanide - Highly toxic chemicals
- Burns Mantle - Famous American theatre critic
- Boris Karloff - An English actor who rose to fame by portraying monsters such as Frankenstein; in the original Broadway production of Arsenic and Old Lace, in a self-depricating turn, he originated the role of Jonathan
- Stiff - A slang term for a dead body
- Rumble seat- A folding outside seat in the back of some early cars
- Culebra Cut - An artificial valley that cuts through Panama and forms part of the Panama Canal
- Nature faker - one who misrepresents facts about nature, usually attributing to animals traits or habits which they are not known to possess
- Nora Bayes Theatre - A Broadway theatre that was demolished in 1945
- Strindberg - A reference to Swedish author August Strindberg who wrote a number of plays, all very serious and dramatic
- Hellzapoppin' - A popular 1938 Broadway musical revue that was also made into a musical comedy film in 1941
- Ring in - To check in with the main office and report any activity
- Judith Anderson - A well-known Broadway and film actress; in Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 psychological thriller film Rebecca, she wore a black dress similar to Abby's
- Trussed up - tied the arms and legs of someone together tightly and roughly with rope to prevent them from moving or escaping
- Mayor LaGuardia - Former mayor of New York City
- Circulars - Informational papers meant for circulation
- True Detective - An American true crime magazine published from 1925 to 1995
- Taft - A reference to former U.S. President William Taft, who took office immediately after Teddy Roosevelt and was strongly supported by Roosevelt
