Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-06-28
COMMUNICATED.
ORIGIN or THINGS IA NlL-
Jar.

motley minded gentleman.
As you like 1t.
Ed. CLARION With your permits
sion ana the indulgence Of your read
ers, | propose under the aboye title
to send you series Of letters relating
to names, forms Of expressions, Gus.
toms etc. etc, that we meet with dal-
ly and with the origin Of which very
few are acquitted. 1t will no doubt
be surprise to many to learn that
many apparently common things
about us really have had a curious be-
ginning and of which they possibly
have never thought. In order that
| may not possibly overtax the pa
thence in my first letter | will take W
any subject that requires a very ex-
tended history or explanation.
TIE WORD Book.
Before paper came into general use,
our reutonic foretathers wrote their
letters, almanacs and accounts on
wood. The Boo or Beech, being
close grained and plentiful in North,
ern Europe, was generally employed
for the purpose. Hence from the
German Boo, comes the English word
Book.
A FEATHER IL ONE CAR.
1t was an ancient custom among
the inhabitants of Hungary that none
should wear feather in his cap but
he who had killed Turk, which feat
was esteemed a great honor at the
time. Hence to kill the Turk was to
obtain the honor and with it the
feather in the cap, one feather for
each Turk killed. Hence the ex-
preston.
BROTHER JONATHAN.
The origin Of this term, as applied
to the United States, is as follows
When Gen. Washington, after having
been appointed commander OF the ar
my Of the Revolutionary War, went
to Massachusetts to organize it, he
found great lack Of ammunition and
other IN ans Of defence on one occa-
sion it seemed that no means could
be devised for the necessary safety.
Jonathan Trumbull, the elder, was
then Governor Of the state OF Connec-
ticnt; and the general placing the
greatest reliance on his excellency ;
Judgment remarked ave must con-
salt Brother Jonathan on the subject.
"The general did 50 and the govern,
err was successful in supplying many
Of the ranks of the army, and thereat-
ter whenever difficulties arose, it be-
came bv-phrase ave must consult
Brother Jonathan" and the name has
become a designation for the whole
country as John Bull has for Eng,
land.
UNCLE SAN.
Immediately after the declaration
Of war with England, in 1912, Ebert
Anderson contractor visited Troy
where he purchased large quantity
of provisions. The Inspector S name
was Samuel Wilson Universally
known as Uncle SAM The goods
were marked az. A.-U. S. Gilbert
Anderson, United States.) One OF the
workmen employed in handling the
articles witty fellow, who, on being
asked the meaning of the mark, said
he did not know, unless it meant ~
bert 1nacrSon and Uncle Sam, allnd-
inc to Uuck Sam Wilson. The Joke
took among the workmen and "Uncle
Sam Wien present, WAS frequently
rallied on the increasing extent OF his
possessions. Hence the expression.
If in your opinion the above artl-
cles will be of interest to your read
ers and that others will be received |
shall in my next explain "Old Christ.
ma" or mora properly Old Style and
New Style as seen in our almanacs
together with the expression "klck-
inr the bucket the terms Bumper
and the origin of "Tarrins and Feath
ering." Yours truly.
V1NDEX.
Mechanicstown June Goth.
Seven narrow guage railroads run.
ming from Clnci matt in various dlrcc,
-, I'D q