Nicknames in Sports and Politics Across History
A compact essay by Elmo Scott Watson exploring how nicknames shaped public perception from Babe Ruth to Red Grange, Paavo Nurmi and Helen Wills, tracing the cultural shift from derision to familiarity and affection in American democracy and sports legends. It notes presidential sobriquets like Old Hickory and The Galloping Ghost, and sports icons across baseball boxing football tennis, emphasizing enduring fame tied to memorable monikers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Red” Grange
Paavo Nurmi
University of California
Helen Wills
Gertrude Ederle
English Channel
Trudy
America
Tennessee
Andrew Jackson
Jackson
White House
William Henry Harrison
Virginia
Tippecanoe
Zachary Taylor
Theodore Roosevelt
Executive
Teddy
T. R
Illinois
Abe
Abraham Lincoln
Henry Clay
Harry of
Stephen A. Douglas
John C. Fremont
Daniel Webster
Winfield Scott
George B. McClellan
Napoleon
Winfield Scott Hancock
James G. Blaine
Knight
William Jennings Bryan
Platte
Christy Mathewson
Matty
George Hermar
Ruth
New York
Babe
Bambino
Sultan of
Swat
Tyrus Raymond Cobb
Georgia Peach
Four Horsemen
Notre Dame
Tulane
University of Southern California
Bill
New York Plans Roof Streets on 12-Story Buildings
Cap per's Weekly reports a vision where a 16 mile elevated motor express runs across rooftops of 12 story structures from lower Manhattan to Yonkers. The plan includes moving pedestrian platforms on a second floor with speeds up to 20 mph, easing cross traffic and allowing out of town workers to park on rooftops. The scheme claims to cost savings and self funding, though it reads like a Wells tale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
New York City
Yonkers
Gotham
H. G. Wells
Bell-Ans Halts Over-Acidity Digestive Advert
An old advertisement touts Bell-Ans for indigestion relief. It claims the product calms gas belching heartburn and related symptoms, notes over 30 years of use, and offers 25 cents and free samples from Bell & Co. in Orangeburg New York.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bell & Co., Inc
Orangeburg
N. Y
Identifying Him in a Snowy Fatal found dead with odd clues
A coroner reveals a man found dead in the snow wearing a linen duster with fur collar and a rubber boot. In his pockets are a rabbit's foot, a movie actress photo, car price list, crossword, wooing directions, Arkansas map, and two toothpicks. The reporter notes the victim remained unidentified, judged an optimist.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Arkansas
Kansas City Times
Eye Balsam Promises Overnight Eye Relief
An advertisement touts Roman Eye Balsam healing eye inflection and inflammation overnight. Consumers are urged to ask their druggist for a 35 cent jar or mail order to 372 Pearl St New York City.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pearl St
N. Y
Adv
Ghost From Past Letter Reaches Winslow Family
In a Baltimore porch memory, Mrs. Randolph Winslow rereads a 30 year old letter from daughter Mary noting a pleasant vacation and her good character. Mary, now with two children, spends long years away while the Winslow mailbox finally fails after decades on the front porch.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Mary
Randolph Winslow
Baltimore
Knowledge and timber should be well seasoned before use
A concise maxim noting that both knowledge and timber gain value with time and proper curing. It emphasizes preparation and patience as keys to effective use in practical work and decision making. The saying underscores quality outcomes from careful seasoning rather than haste.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Elmo Scott Watson
Poker Face
Finn
Seattle
Wash
Portland
Maine
Hibbing
Swamp Fox
Marion
Anthony” Wayne
United States
George Washington
Adams
John
Thomas Jefferson
Tom
Jeff
Massachusetts
Fistiana
John L. Sullivan
John L
Boston
James J. Corbett
Jim
Bob Fitzsimmons
Buddy Bob
Kangaroo
Jack Johnson
Sam Langford
Battling Nelson
Harry Greb
Fred Fulton
Jess Willard
John Harrison
Messrs
Tilden
Johnson
Maurice McLoughlin
Biarritz
Jean Borotra
the Flying
The
Champion
Toledo, Ohio
Ars
Winslow
Purlock
Nashville
Tenn
W.N. U
San Francisco
Betsy Ross
Scotland
Philadelphia
Allen
LeRoy
Atlantic
Pa Buzz
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