Date:  Fri, 5 Jan 1996 17:05:02 -0600

From:  Cynthia Bernstein <bernscy[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MAIL.AUBURN.EDU>

Subject: Re: 'old maid'



Of the 23 students (juniors and seniors) in my Introduction to

Linguistics class at Auburn, only 1--a 24-year-old female from

Jacksonville, Florida (parents from Iowa and South Dakota)--was familiar

with 'old maid' in this context.



Cynthia Bernstein

Dept. of English

Auburn University, AL 36849-5203



On Fri, 5 Jan 1996, Joan Hall wrote:



> DARE's anecdotal evidence suggests that the term 'old maid,' for an unpopped

> kernel of popcorn, is chiefly North and North Midland. But we didn't ask

> this on our Questionnaire, so we don't have nationwide coverage. Are you

> familiar with this term? If so, when and where? Thanks in advance.

>

> Joan Hall

>