Date: Mon, 6 Oct 1997 06:18:30 -0400

From: "Barry A. Popik" Bapopik[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM

Subject: "The Backbone of America"; First Monday in October; NY Yankees



THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA



OED's non-anatomical definitions for "backbone" include "the main or

important element, mainstay" (earliest citation is 1849) and "strength of

character, stability of purpose, resoluteness, sturdiness, firmness"

(earliest citation is 1843). OED found English citations, but America may

have had "backbone" first.

This is from the Charleston Mercury, 20 June 1840, pg. 2, col. 6:



_From the New Orleans Picayune._ (Probably only a few days prior to

this--ed.)

"THE BACKBONE OF AMERICA."

VHICH IS CLOSELY CONNECTED VITH THE SUBJECT OF ANATOMY.

Ve're trav'lin' o'er our "backbone," George,

And I tell you it's a vide bone!

But vouldn't it be proper

If it vas called our _side_ bone?

Our figure's wery much increased

Awkvard at wery best,

And vhile condensin' in the east,

Ve've spread out in the vest!



Vell, George, ve should have too much sides

For von poor back to bear,

But luckily in fattenin' ve

Prowided for that 'ere;

Ve've got _two_ backbones! vhich prewents

All such lopsided bother,

And yonder sun's the vhole day long

Trav'lin' from von to t'other!



Two spines! a wery curious fact

In the "order wertebrated;"

And then our _ribs_ of States, so vide

And vell "articulated!"

Our soil so braced with muscle, and

Such rivers for our weins;

And all our "wiscera" complete

Except, perhaps, the brains!

(...)

--STRAWS.

Alleghany Mountains.



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