[lit-ideas] Re: Pomegranate

David Ritchie writes:

'"Tams," by the way, are Scottish hats, "Tam O'Shanters") which I now repost to
save you the trouble of looking it up--what is the origin of "pom poms," the
things cheerleaders wave? ...'

Ouch, David, you're hurting me. Pom poms are rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns and
the like: remember the tracers going out from the aircraft carriers being
attacked by kamikazes in WWII? Them.

A pom _pon_ is 'an ornamental tuft or ball of yarn, feathers, silk, or the like,
worn on a hat or dress, on shoes, or on a costume. '

I know, I know--usage with its muddy sneakers has smudged the distinction, but
it's one my mother fought for during her years as a high school English teacher,
and I am charged with upholding it. (Apres moi: Babel.)

Robert Paul
The Reed Institute
------------------------------------------------------------------
To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off,
digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html

Other related posts: