Show Me - Update: Missourians Were Difficult to Convince Even Before They Had to Be Shown
As discussed in my earlier post, Show Me the Tunnel,
the phrase “show me” has been associated with the state of Missouri since at
least as early as October, 1894. A
couple references from the years leading up to 1894, however, suggest that
Missourians may have had a reputation for being difficult to convince even
before the phrase “show me” came into common use:
The Chilean affair has shown
the need that may arise at any moment for well-equipped vessels of war, and the
paltry figure we cut in China should convince even a Missouri Senator of our
need of a navy of modern ships of war. – [San Francisco Chronicle].
The Pacific Commercial Advertiser (Honolulu, Hawaiian), October 9,
1891, page 2, column 2.
Some Timber Strength Tests. –
It would be difficult to convince the average man, especially the Missouri
pioneer, that fir is a stronger wood than oak, but such has been proven by
actual tests that were made by a fair and impartial committee appointed for
that purpose.
The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, North Carolina), December 22,
1893, page 4, column 2.
It is possible, I suppose, that
these two references may be merely coincidental. Perhaps a particular Missouri Senator was unconvinced
of the need for warships? Perhaps
Missouri pioneers were particularly fond of oak? I do not know.
It is interesting, however, that
in both cases, the difficulty of convincing a Missourian is mentioned in an
off-hand manner, without explanation, as though the difficulty of convincing
Missourians was a well-established, commonly understood characteristic. The fact
that the comments were made without resort to the phrase, “show me,” suggests
that the phrase had not yet been coined, or at least was not yet widely known,
even though the sentiment expressed by the phrase may already have developed.
But it does raise the question; when,
how and why did Missourians develop their reputation?
Do you know?
Show me.
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