RE: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] Origin of SPAM (Yes! I am a google GOD)

["Ross, Matthew" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

> > If you were just suggesting that the
> > pronunciation came to mind because they had been saying 
> "Foo" so often,
> > then I appologize for misreading you.
> 
> Apology accepted.  But it's more than just pronunciation.  

The apology was for IF I misread you. Since you state that it was not just pronunciation, and thereby indicated that I did not misread it when I saw it as more than just pronunciation, you don't get the apology. :-P

> You don't seem
> able to understand, so I'll stop trying to explain it.

I've been polite enough not to say that to you all this time, you could at least have done the same. Just because you're deluded..err..I mean just because we disagree doesn't mean its beyond the comprehension of the other party. Snipping back at someone doesn't earn you the "last word", if that was what you were trying to accomplish with this.

> > > You think the 'foo' syllable could have been part of the 
> reason for
> > > the popularity of FUBAR and SNAFU, but you think it is 
> not possible
> > > that the love of 'foo' was part of the motivation for constructing
> > > these acronyms in the first place.  You're completely 
> wrong because
> > > it's entirely possible.
> >
> > I disagree.
> 
> Associated Press Thought for Today: ``It wasn't until quite 
> late in life
> that I discovered how easy it is to say `I don't know.'''
> -- W. Somerset Maugham, English writer (1874-1965).

Are you suggesting you don't know (which you've already stated), or citing the fact that I haven't learned when to admit my ignorance (which you and others have already stated)?

> > Baz is also unexplained everywhere I've looked. Anyone want 
> to enlighten
> > me on that ones origin?
> 
> You didn't read the jargon file?
> 
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/jargon/html/B/baz.html

>From that:
"Earlier versions of this lexicon derived baz as a Stanford corruption of bar. However, Pete Samson (compiler of the TMRC lexicon) reports it was already current when he joined TMRC in 1958. He says "It came from Pogo. Albert the Alligator, when vexed or outraged, would shout 'Bazz Fazz!' or 'Rowrbazzle!' The club layout was said to model the (mythical) New England counties of Rowrfolk and Bassex (Rowrbazzle mingled with (Norfolk/Suffolk/Middlesex/Essex)."" (Sorry, getting tired of replacing the extended ascii quote marks, hope it shows up for everbody)

The detail this gives indicates A) the early explanation is wrong, and B) Pete Samson bases his variables on cartoons, but doesn't seem to give a plausible explanation for the origin of 'baz'. Were it derived from "Bazz Fazz", it should have permutations "bazz", "fazz" and "faz". The explanation of "bar" at least was plausible.

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