The Straight Dope 04/02/2004

The Straight Dope -- By Cecil Adams
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THE STRAIGHT DOPE 04/02/2004

Dear Cecil:

In the recent debate around gay marriage, the Log Cabin Republicans have
come up. I understand their deal is that Abraham Lincoln was gay and
grew up in a log cabin, so they align themselves with his sexuality
through endorsing his upbringing. Whatever. My question is, how valid is
the allegation of Honest Abe being gay? I realize that "we may never
really know," but my impression is that he was a rowdy skirt chaser in
his youth. What evidence do we have that he chased pants as well? Surely
having a harridan for a wife isn't evidence enough? --Bill in
Connecticut

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Cecil replies:

You got me, partner. On the one hand, Abe has merely joined the long
list of famous parties dubiously outed by gay activists, who are
presumably prompted by the same impulse that leads African-Americans to
claim Cleopatra was black. (She was Macedonian Greek, in case you're
wondering.) As literary scholar Richard Kaye noted in the Village
Voice's Queer Issue last year, other supposed gays in history include
Jane Austen, Adolf Hitler, Eleanor Roosevelt, Robin Hood, T.S. Eliot,
and Jesus. On the other hand, Lincoln slept with a man for years and
seems to have had little use for women--you can see where people
nowadays might jump to conclusions. Considering how the Thomas
Jefferson/Sally Hemings thing turned out, I wouldn't be too quick to say
they're wrong.

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/columns/040402.html

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STAFF REPORT

Dear Straight Dope:

My girlfriend and I were watching an American game show the other night
when the question (in multiple-choice format) was asked, "What are
Canadians sometimes nicknamed?" or something of that sort. The answer
was "Canuck" and was missed (I was surprised "beer drinkers," "cold," or
"what's a Canadian?" weren't in there, but I digress). We both took to
laughing because it was like us not knowing what a Yankee was. I then
say to myself, "Self, what does Canuck mean anyway?" We had no idea. Now
I feel stupid. Enlighten me, please, because not one Canadian I have
asked knows or has even put any thought to the matter, till now. --Chris
L. Bieredrinker

SDSTAFF Dex replies:

As with many word origins, the origin of "Canuck" is obscure. We start
with the word "Canada" itself.

William and Mary Morris in their Dictionary of Word and Phrase Origins
(1962 and 1967) say that the best authority seems to indicate "canada"
was originally a word in the Huron-Iroquois language meaning "a
collection of lodges." So the first Canada was an Indian village. 

For more, see: 
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mcanuck.html

STRAIGHT DOPE CLASSIC - 12/16/1977

Dear Cecil: 

Ever since I was a kid, I have seen references to sarsaparilla. All the
kids in western and nineteenth-century stories were always drinking it.
It seemed to be very popular, and I've always wondered: how come you
can't get it today? --Garth G., Phoenix

Dear Garth:

Sarsaparilla is still around, but it takes a little poking to turn it
up. The drink, which tastes a great deal like root beer, is still
popular in some parts of the U.S.--the folks in Pittsburgh, I
understand, are crazy about the stuff. Although none of the major
soft-drink manufacturers markets a national brand, all continue to make
the flavor base available to any local bottler who cares to market
sarsaparilla on his own. Many cities have a specialty store or two that
carries these brands; ask around.

For more, see:
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_354.html

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