More answers from Mr. Know-it-all
Q: I have been reading newspaper cartoons since I was a kid. I’m now a senior citizen, and I still turn to the comic strips first. When a character swears, the cartoonist uses a mix of random typographical symbols: “I hit my head on that @#$! tree branch.” Is there a word for using these symbols in this way? When did it first start? — E.R.N., Brattleboro, Vermont
A: The use of the symbols for this purpose began in the early 1900s. Cartoonist Mort Walker, creator of Hi and Lois and Beetle Bailey, came up with the term “grawlix” to describe the string of typographical symbols to represent an obscenity in the mid1960s.
LET’S LEARN ENGLISH
In North America, kids use a “pacifier,” while in the U.K., they use a “dummy.”
In the U.K., they say “estate car,” while in North America, we say, “station wagon.”
Q: For 20 years, I smoked Pall Mall cigarettes. Fortunately, I quit more than 30 years ago. I often wonder what the brand name means. Recently, I was watching a World War II espionage documentary, and the name Pall Mall was on a street sign. Which was named first? — D.M.N., Roanoke, Virginia
A: Butler & Butler Co. introduced Pall Mall cigarettes in 1899; they were supposed to cater to the upper class with the first “premium” cigarette. They were named after Pall Mall, a well-known street in Westminster, London. In 1907, American Tobacco acquired Pall Mall.
Pall Mall Street was laid out in 1661 and derived its name from pall-mall, a ball game that was played during the 17th century. The game was played with a mallet and ball, similar to croquet and golf. The name comes from the Italian “pallamaglio,” which means “mallet ball.”
Q: Where did the phrase “stiff upper lip” come from? — M.R., Southhaven, Tennessee
A: Keeping a stiff upper lip displays courage in the face of adversity, while a trembling lip shows a sign of weakness. Traditionally, the phrase has been used to describe the attitude of British people.
DID YOU KNOW?
Cher was considered for the role of Thelma Dickerson in the 1991 movie “Thelma & Louise,” but the role went to Geena Davis.
Q: In college sports, I never understood why a freshman might become a redshirt. Why is the practice done? — O.B.M., Glove, Arizona
A: A redshirt is a delay of an athlete’s participation in order to lengthen their period of team eligibility by an extra season. During the redshirt year, the athlete may attend classes, practice his or her sport with the team and even dress for play, but obviously he or she is not allowed to participate in actual games. There are several reasons why an athlete would be redshirted: He or she may need extra time to learn the playbook or a chance to mature or to find a balance between the sport and academics. In the final year, a redshirt is often referred to as a fifth-year senior.
Q: I saw a Coast Guard bumper sticker with the word “Semper” on it, but I did not read or recognize the other word. Do you know what it is? — Y.U., Roseburg, Oregon
A: The Coast Guard motto is “Semper Paratus” (Always Ready).
Q: Why are emery boards called “emery”? — F.V.I., Lakeland, Florida
A: Emery boards are made out of emery, a dark granular rock used to make abrasive powder. It’s named after Cape Emeri, on the Greek Island of Naxos, where it was first discovered several thousand years ago.
Emery boards are pieces of cardboard that have emery or emery paper glued to them. The boards have been around since the very early 1700s.
Q: A short story I once read said the sorority girls were dressed as if they were going to attend a levee. Levees are used to hold back a body of water. I’m confused. — J.M.J., Milford, Virginia
A: “Levee” is a word with more than one distinct definition. In this case, “levee” refers to a fashionable party or reception.