Date:  Wed, 10 Jan 1996 13:04:03 EST

From:  flanigan[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]OUVAXA.CATS.OHIOU.EDU

Subject: old maids



          Ohio University Electronic Communication





  Date: 10-Jan-1996 12:54pm EST



   To: Remote Addressee           ( _mx%"ads-l[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]uga.cc.uga.edu" )



  From: Beverly Flanigan              Dept: Linguistics

     FLANIGAN                 Tel No:



Subject: old maids





  I used the term 'old maid' for unpopped kernels of corn as a child in

  Minnesota, but my mother (b. 1906) used it even more, as I recall.

  Testing its generational depth, I just asked my 26-yr-old son first if

  the term meant anything to him, and he suggested the card game and

  non-marriage; then I asked if he had ever heard it used for unpopped

  corn, and he said no. This would suggest that I never passed the usage

  on to him, and upon reflection I think this is true. Thus, the

  "old-fashioned" interpretation may be correct. Hope this helps, Joan.

                    Beverly Flanigan







Received: 10-Jan-1996 01:04pm