Larchmont Chronicle Story Archive

Larchmont Chronicle Neighborhood newspaper representing Hancock Park, Larchmont Village
Miracle Mile, Park La Brea Fremont Place in the Wilshire center area of Los Angeles. Local News and
stories about the local Los Angeles Scene. Historical informattion regarding the Larchmont Chronicle and
Hancock Park area. Founded in 1963 on Larchmont Bouelvard, Los Angeles, CA, California

January 29, 2010

PROFESSOR KNOW-IT-ALL

Bill Bentley

Why is February 2, “Groundhog Day?” queries Sanders Blair.

February 2 is the date Catholic Europeans call Candlemas Day, which celebrates the purification of the Virgin Mary after her delivery of the infant Jesus. Because of this miraculous reversal of a basic fact of nature, this late winter day became a reverse indicator of what was to come: fine, spring-like weather meant more winter and vice versa. From the medieval period on, country folk believed that hibernating animals (particularly the hedgehog) left their winter lairs to find out how much more time they’d have to spend under ground.

Our American Groundhog Day is descended from this tradition, with our groundhog or woodchuck taking the place of the hedgehog. Come to think of it, the hedgehog has quills all over it. If the German settlers of Pennsylvania (who were directly responsible) had paid stricter attention to actual resemblance, we’d be celebrating Porcupine Day.

How about “skinflint?” asks Taylor Dempsey.

To medieval man nothing was as hard as the flint he used daily to strike sparks to kindle fires or to keep his tools or weapons sharp. If a person (usually a miserly merchant) could shave things so close that he could make a profit on any amount, he could supposedly skin a flint, and thereby became one himself.

Why are some people “neat as a pin?” wonders William Alexander.

There are few tools more simple and useful, more perfect in design and usage than the pin. Once you take something that was broken or torn and flapping and secure it with this spare and basic instrument, it is neatness itself.

What’s the origin of the word “oaf?” ponders James Onslow.

This interesting word is from the Old English aelf or elf, and referred to a changeling (a rejected child-goblin) exchanged for an infant human. This unfortunate deformed child was thought to be an idiot and ridiculed. Nowadays, it merely refers to usually large, awkward men. I guess the elves only have handsome children today.

Professor Know-It-All is the nom de plume of Bill Bentley, who invites readers to try and stump him. Send your questions to him at willbent@prodigy.net.

Larchmont Chronicle
542½ North Larchmont Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90004

Editor & Publisher: Jane Gilman
Associate Publisher: Irwin Gilman

Admin

Information about the Larchmont Village, Hancock Park, Miracle Mile, Park LaBrea areas of Los Angeles, california. The larchmont Chronicle provides information, news stories, local events, advertising, real estate information, real estate listing advertisings, Los Angeles area demographics and other neighborhood news.