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Ask Mr. Know-It-All By Gary Lee Clothier
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Q: If you cross the street at any place other than a designated intersection or crosswalk, you are said to be "jaywalking." Why is it called that? -- P.B., San Francisco, Calif.
A: According to the dictionary, "jay" is slang for a person lacking experience (as in city ways); that person also might be called unsophisticated, countrified or gullible. In the early 1900s, when people from the country visited the big city, they may have paid more attention to the towering buildings than to street traffic. Not realizing the dangers of crossing in the middle of the street and the hazard they created, locals dubbed them "jaywalkers."
Q: Was actor Robert Blake ever in the "Our Gang" series? He is said to have played the role of Spanky McFarland. -- V.C., San Dimas, Calif.
A: Child actor Robert Blake, then known by his real name Mickey Gubitosi, appeared as the character Mickey in about 40 of the "Our Gang" shorts between 1939 and 1944. In 1942, he acquired the stage name Bobby Blake, and his character in the series was renamed Mickey Blake.
The role of Spanky was played by George Robert Phillips McFarland. McFarland was born in 1928 and died in 1993 of cardiac arrest. Blake was born in 1933.
Did you know? ... As a child, Angelina Jolie wanted to grow up to be a funeral director.
Q: What is the history of French crepes? I am especially interested in crepes suzette. -- P.A., Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
A: A crepe is a type of very thin pancake. The word crepe comes from Latin "crispa," meaning "curled." Crepes originated in Brittany, in the northwest corner of France. They are made by pouring a thin batter made with flour, eggs, milk and butter onto a hot frying pan or flat, circular hot plate. Fillings might include cheese, ham, eggs, asparagus, spinach and other meats and vegetables.
Crepes suzette is a dessert made with an orange- butter sauce and liqueur (usually Grand Marnier), which is lit before serving. According to some, the dish was made in 1895 for the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) and named after his lady friend.
Q: Why is the guardian of the United States called Uncle Sam? -- J.G., Naples, Fla.
A: The reference dates to the War of 1812 and a government meat inspector in Troy, N.Y., named Samuel Wilson (1766-1854), commonly known as Uncle Sam. After inspection, provisions usually were marked "U.S." for United States, but workers for Wilson joked that the "U.S." stood for "Uncle Sam." The joke caught on, and before long the United States and Uncle Sam became synonymous.
Q: What happened to Evelyn West? I knew her as Amy Coomer when she worked in Illinois. -- A.B., Pekin, Ill.
A: Burlesque performer Evelyn West was born in 1921 in Adair County, Ky. After her parents divorced, she and her mother moved to Illinois, where Amy grew up. She later started working at the Illinois State Fair in a sideshow.
Her career in burlesque took off in the 1940s. She used many nicknames, including "The Hubba-Hubba Girl." She became a pinup-calendar favorite and was featured in other types of artwork. Her only known film credit was for "A Night at the Follies" (1947), although she did appear in uncredited roles in other films. She married a club promoter by the name of Al Charles around 1950, give or take a few years. After her husband died she retired to Florida. While in her 60s, she was asked to join an all-star cast of burlesque notables for a stage act -- she declined. She died in 2004. She had no living family.
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© 2011, Gary Clothier DISTRIBUTED BY UNIVERSAL UCLICK
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Arnold Ahlert | ||||||||||||
