Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 02:07:13 -0400

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

Subject: K-9 (for "canine"): or, My Life Goes to the Dogs!



This is about the origin of "K-9" for "canine," but a little personal

anecdote must come first.

I was reading a large newspaper story (with a large photo) about a woman

who was being evicted from her luxury apartment building because she refused

to give up her dogs. It was alleged that her dogs were vicious, and she

didn't register them with the co-op. Who cares?

Upon reading further, I found out that this woman lived in MY BUILDING.

She's currently suing us for $2.2 million, or $1.1 million per dog!!

This story made the New York Post, the Daily News, The New York Times

(11 Sept. 1996, A20, col. 1), Channels 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, WCBS newsradio, and

WINS newsradio. Everything! Full news coverage! For two dogs!!

Five years ago, Gerald Cohen and I solved the derivation of the "Big

Apple." For five years, we've been trying to publish the story of New York

City's nickname in a single New York City news outlet (three years later, it

made one). New York Newsday (which no longer exists) told me the story

wasn't news, and then ran a front page story on Joey Buttafuoco.

In the etymology business--and I've the "hot dog" along with the "Big

Apple" and the "Windy City"--I haven't even made one cent.

I guess I'm less important than dogs....

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