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According to Merriam-Webster, 1830 was the year the word “Clothesline” was first
used. Given the definition of “a rope or
wire upon which to hang wet clothes to dry,” one can only assume the word was
merely the wish of an everyday housewife before the creation of the first
clothesline in 1860. Unless you take
into account a group of Americans (including one woman) called the Culper Spy Ring, who
organized during the Revolutionary War (1779) for the express purpose of
secretly exchanging information between the troops and Washington. In addition
to risky courier activities, another (unverifiable) means of transferring
important messages was by hanging pre-determined garment color and quantities
on a backyard line.
In one of his most famous illusions, David Copperfield, magician
extraordinaire, made the Statue of Liberty disappear on April 8th,
1983. Before making the statue reappear, he explained to a stunned
audience that he wanted them to imagine a world without
American freedom, liberties, and justice. As Lady Liberty came back into view,
Copperfield went on to note that while our forefathers would not have realized
the benefits of their efforts, they made sure we would and that our children
will! Copperfield then proceeded to
enthrall audiences by levitating over the Grand Canyon, walking through the
Great Wall of China, escaping from Alcatraz and flying around a stage for
several minutes in 1992!
If for a moment you forgot to think about the world at large, my work here is done ;-)
Hi, diedre!
ReplyDeleteI "C" you have your post pubbed dark and early. That suits me just fine, dear friend, because I like to do most of my blogging in the morning when I'm fresher.
When I was very young my family lived in a rural area and my mother used a clothesline. When we moved to the suburbs we had a metal clothes tree in the back yard. Loaded with clothing drying in the sun, it would be considered an eyesore today, I'm sure. Without the word clothesline, we would not have the verb used in football and pro wrestling to describe a maneuver in which a player stretches out his arm, catches the opponent by the neck and knocks him to the ground.
Surely America could use David Copperfield at a time like this to work his magic and make this dreaded virus disappear. While he's at it, he could make vanish the bitter partisanship that divides and cripples our country.
Have a safe and happy day, dear friend diedre!
Hi Shady!
DeleteUgh, that wrestling maneuver made me cringe.
I was used to clotheslines as a kid. They're not allowed by our HOA now. I can't figure why unless the wildlife objected.
Ha! Good thought about Copperfield. If only, huh?
Enjoy the weekend!