"watchin' that blackboard" employment agencies would post available jobs on a blackboard in front of their offices. Prospective employees would watch the blackboard or any new jobs.
Chapter 3 ~ Allusions (cont'd.) run up the river: During the salmon mating season, thousands of the fish will swim upstream, struggling against the current, spawn (lay their eggs), and then die. During a salmon run, the fish are easy to catch.
a lamp with a base made from a children's toy. liniment. a soothing or pain-killing liquid used on sore body parts.
Jerkline Skinner: Lead driver of a team of mules. Stable Buck: A derogatory name for an African-American man who works in the stables.
roll your hoop: a popular amusement of children in the past was running while rolling a large metal hoop with a stick (See a picture of children rolling hoops). Telling Curley's wife to "roll your hoop," is Candy's way of calling her young and immature.