UPDATE: In a previous column, I discussed Hooverisms, negative nicknames given to certain items used during the Great Depression. For instance, newspapers were called “Hoover blankets” because they were often used as blankets. “Hoover flags” were empty pockets turned inside out, and a “Hooverville” was a shantytown.
I asked readers if they knew of any more; here are a few. “Hoover hogs” were armadillos in the South and Southwest and squirrels, rabbits and other small critters in Appalachia. One reader told me her husband grew up in Arkansas, where they called turnips “Hoover apples.” “To this day, he will not eat a turnip.” “Hoover carts” were two-wheeled carts made using the rear wheels and axles from automobiles that people could no longer afford to operate. The carts were pulled by mules, horses or other animals.
Q: I am a fan of “The Godfather” movies. What happened to Robert Duvall? He was excellent in the role of Tom Hagen, but he did not return for the final movie. — M.B., Covina, Calif.
A: Robert Duvall wanted $5 million to reprise his role of Tom Hagen in “The Godfather: Part III.” The guys with the purse said “no,” and Duvall was replaced by George Hamilton as lawyer B.J. Harrison. A line of dialogue was inserted that explained that Hagen had died years before.
Q: There is a word for next to last. As I recall, it could be a person or thing. I have asked all my friends, and they are clueless, too. Please help. — B.L., Benton, Ark.
A: Look up the word “penultimate.”
Q: I have a collection of pennies that have been flattened and embossed with a historic landmark or some other site of interest. I have several questions about these tokens. When were these pennies first introduced? Is it legal to destroy a coin? What is the techy name for collecting these tokens? — S.E.B., Muscatine, Iowa
A: It is generally accepted that these tokens were first made during the 1892 World’s Columbian Exposition held in Chicago to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of America. The correct name for these coins is elongated coins, although since I was a kid I have always called them squished pennies.
As for the legality of such coins, I’m quoting from PennyCollector.com: “The United States Codes under Title 18, Chapter 17 and Section 331, ‘prohibits the mutilation, diminution and falsification of United States coinage.’ However, it has been the opinion of some individual officers at the Treasury Department, though without any indication of approval, the foregoing statute does not prohibit the mutilation of coins if done without fraudulent intent or if the mutilated coins are not used fraudulently.” So, yes, it is legal. It is also legal in the U.K., but not in Canada.
As far as I can tell, there is not a special name for an elongated-coin collector.
For more information, visit PennyCollector.com
Q: I was young when the Unabomber was caught. I have often wondered what his name meant. — W.K.N., Bangor, Maine
A: The FBI gave Ted Kaczynski the name because his early mail bombs were sent to universities (UN) and airlines (A). Kaczynski sent 16 bombs from 1978 to 1995; his bombs killed three people and injured 23.
Q: I have wondered for years why the open ocean is called “the bounding main.” — M.L.E., Trappe, Md.
A: In 1880, a children’s song about sailing on the ocean was written called “Sailing, Sailing.” (It’s also known by the first line, “Sailing, sailing, over the bounding main.”) The song was written by Godfrey Marks, a pseudonym for British organist and composer James Frederick Swift (1847-1931). This is the earliest reference I can find that calls the ocean “the bounding main.” If any reader has additional information, please let me know.
Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.