Date: Mon, 26 Jan 1998 18:30:21 -0500

From: Gregory {Greg} Downing downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]IS2.NYU.EDU

Subject: Re: doppkit/ditty bag



At 05:27 PM 1/26/98 -0600, you wrote:

I've heard some WWII folks call shaving kits "ditty bags." What does

that mean?



Thanks,

Jessie Emerson





OED2 on ditty-bag:



[Origin obscure: according to Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. it `derives its name

from the dittis or Manchester stuff of which it was once made'; but no

evidence of this is given, nor is anything known of the stuff alleged.]



Definition: A bag used by sailors to contain their smaller necessaries.



Greg Downing/NYU, at greg.downing[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]nyu.edu or downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]is2.nyu.edu