That would be Hell, Michigan. And yes it does freeze over every year around this time.
Posted on 11/29/2007 5:24:53 AM PST by rellimpank
The Rev. David Baer is out to save the town of Whitewood’s honor from the shame of a street named Hooker.
Baer, a Lutheran pastor in the small northern Hills town, asked the Whitewood city council to rename the street that honors the Civil War general, Joseph Hooker. Baer finds it offensive because of the word’s connotation with prostitution.
We heard from many readers who found Baer’s sign-change campaign humorous, sad, silly and maybe even a little dirty-minded.
One man, who happens to be named John W. Hooker Jr., thinks it is Baer, not his family name, that’s offensive. “I think the Rev. David Baer should just get over it. Everything with the name of ‘Hooker’ is only wrong in his mind.”
Some Civil War buffs claim that Gen. Hooker’s last name is, indeed, the origin of the slang term for prostitutes. He had a reputation as a ladies’ man throughout his military career, and at least one historian described his Falmouth, Va., headquarters as a combination of a “bar room and a brothel.” One popular legend states that a band of prostitutes following his division was called ‘Hooker’s Brigade’ or ‘General Hooker’s Army.’
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
Great story, RB!
Thanks. I learned a new word today. I wonder if that is the etymology for 'troll' as used by FR.
This is why many folks view the Religious Right SoCons as asshats...
Some Civil War buffs claim that Gen. Hooker’s last name is, indeed, the origin of the slang term for prostitutes.
Too bad for them that the OED cites the usage of the term “hooker” for prostitutes at least as early as 1845.
I can’t believe a clergyman believes that this is the best use of time in this day and age.
While factually correct, ‘Fighting Joe’ Hooker’s preoccupation with the painted ladies was very well known, and made the term into a univerally accepted term for them ever after.
As for the Reverand...spare me from people like this.
No kidding.
And you can count me as one of those folks, on occasion.
Let's see...Crook City...crook is a curved stall, crook used in ancient times to heard sheep. There's sheep up there; sheep boys,gay sheep boys...BrokeBack Mountain.
Change *stall* to STAFF.
I suppose next they’ll be going after “French Whore Circle”.
I’m guessing anyone named Hooker is offended. If he had any Hookers in his church, he probably wont soon.
I wonder how many men named Richard he has in his church. It must be uncomfortable thanking all those Dicks for attending services.
Baer needs to realize that there are numerous names in our society that are normal to the bearer, but offensive to others. I suspect if Rev. Baer’s name were Hooker, he would be pleased his surname was on a street sign.
If our society is to survive, this kind of nonsense has got to stop.
One last thing. Following Rev. Baer’s logic, Anyone who has been attacked by a BEAR might be highly offended by the Rev. Baer’s last name, so perhaps he should change it. Seems threatening to me, & connotes a violent & dangerous beast. I suggest he change it to PC. And in the spirit of PC, DAVID seems too Judeo-Christian. It might detract from that multi-culti image. It might offend potential converts.
That would be Hell, Michigan. And yes it does freeze over every year around this time.
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