Legends & origins

[mike_baram]

Is there anyone who would give his right arm for a Santos-Dumont wristwatch? After all, it makes no sense to give your left arm, does it?

Recently we aquired a copy of Blackies compact
etymological dictionary not dated, but of 1920's vintage.. It has an appendix entitled "terms of special note in modern warfare". It's gems include....

Fokker a german aeroplane used for short flights.
Wooly-bear a large german shrapnel shell
Wind up to become nervous or exited
Strombos horn a warning against a gas attack
Sausage an observation balloon
Black maria a large german shell
Bond street ribbon a medal for home service

It makes for a few minutes interesting reading.

andy

a few things.

there is much debate on the term "Full nine yards"
It is also beleived to be a description of a full load from a cement truck to the standard bolt of cloth. To date I've seen at least 15 different origins of "full nine yards"

Lili Marlene was written by Hans Leip in 1915 but not published until 1937. The poem was set to music by Norbert Schultze in 1938 and became popular during WW2 not WWI.

The safety razor became popular during WWI when it was issued to American Soldiers. According to some sources the US Army thought that most soliders were to stupid to use a straight razor without slitting their throats so saftey razors were issued to soldiers.

Does anyone know when/where the term "Kentucky Windage" originates?

On a side note of digression into unit mottos:

My former unit 1/54 Infantry had the motto "Mailed Foot" which is somewhat comical considering chain mail was never worn as foot protection. The motto was given to the unit because during the closing months of World War I, it marched up and down the trenches from the Northern France to Southern France and back again looking for a place to fight. Unfortunately everytime they got to a battle it had just ended The unit had better luck in the Mexican War and had traced its roots back to the 54th Mass. Infantry of Civil War fame. The unit song was given to them by the French in WWI. It was an old French riding song but it was better known in English Speaking Countries as "Pop Goes the Weasel" It led to some interesting 'lively debates' at various "O Clubs" when we 'discussed' unit espirit with fellow officers from other units.


My father's unit had a more illustrious motto, that being "Rock of the Marne"

Tobias

[Kirby]

Tobias

I was taught the term "Kentucky windage" came from the days of the long hunters. Their Pennsylvania (aka Kentucky) long rifles didn't have sights easily adjustable for windage so if there was a strong cross wind they just had to guesstimate how far to the left or right of the target to aim.

VBR
Kirby

BTW, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, Tally Ho was first used in Deer Hunting but quickly became the fashion in Fox Hunting. Originally the call was Halloo! but it changed to Tallio and finally Tally Ho!

The word Tally can mean "to identify" but it is just speculation that this would be the reason for the use of the phrase. The phrase means that a fox has been spotted by the hunter and not necessarily "The chase is on" although a chase would most likely ensue. It is used as a rallying call to alert the other hunters to come to the one who spotted the fox. Originally other calls also existed such as Tally Over meaning the fox has ducked into cover so there is no reason to come here.

I would love to find out if the phrase was first used by pilots in combat or if they borrowed it from the silver screen.

Tally Ho! is so much more informative than "enemy, 9 o'clock high".(sarcasm intended) and for a pilot to break formation without his wingman or permission with a "Tally Ho" seems more Hollywood than RAF.

I do seem to recall photos of a Spitfire or Hawker Hurricane with the name "Tally Ho!" so I don't doubt it being used as a battle cry I just wonder if they borrowed it from "b" movies.

Tobias

Like you, Tobias, I've heard SEVERAL origins for "the whole 9 yards", & specifically the "cement story".

It is a little frustrating, though, huh? You'd like to know the ORIGINAL story! Instead, you get 14 of them, all as valid as the last!