Stuff You Missed in History Class

This 2016 episode covers the living and evolving nature of language. It shifts and changes; pronunciations and spellings morph throughout time. English is no exception.

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Holly talks about the conjecture about the cause of the Mattoon gas scare. Tracy talks about the arduous nature of picking through the court complaint in the Clifton Star Chamber case. 

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In Early Modern England, there was a rash of abductions of boys, who were being forced to work as actors. Then a child was taken whose father was in a position to actually do something about it. 

Research:

• Soth, Amelia. “Her Majesty’s Kidnappers.” JSTOR Daily. 12/17/2020. https://daily.jstor.org/kidnapping-for-the-queens-choir/
• Early Modern London Theaters. “Viewing Event Record: Star Chamber, Clifton v Robinson et al: Clifton States His Case.” https://emlot.library.utoronto.ca/db/record/event/93/
• Reynolds, Patricia. “Kidnapped to order: child actors in Shakespeare’s day.” The National Archives. 5/12/2016. https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/kidnapped-order-child-actors-shakespeares-day/
• Map of Early London. “Blackfriars Theatre.” https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/BLAC6.htm
• Shapiro, Michael. “Children of the Revels: The Boy Companies of Shakespeare’s Time and Their Plays.” New York: Columbia University Press. 1977.
• Fleay, Frederick Gard. “A Chronicle History of the London Stage 1559-1642.” New York. G.E. Stechert & Co. 1909.
• Benet, William Rose. "Blackfriars." Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia, 3rd ed., Harper & Row, 1987, p. 103. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A18034327/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=fefb4932. Accessed 21 June 2023.
• Munro, Lucy. "Living by Others' Pleasure: Marston, The Dutch Courtesan, and Theatrical Profit." Early Theatre, vol. 23, no. 1, June 2020, pp. 109+. Gale Academic OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A638900245/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=ce5c9645. Accessed 21 June 2023.
• Dutton, Richard. “The Revels Office and the Boy Companies, 1600-1613: New Perspectives.” English Literary Renaissance , SPRING 2002, Vol. 32, No. 2. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43447637
• Wridgway, Neville. "Giles, Nathaniel (c. 1558–1634), choirmaster and composer." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Date of access 22 Jun. 2023, https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-10724  
• Barrie, Robert. “Elizabethan Play-Boys in the Adult London Companies.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 , Spring, 2008, Vol. 48, No. 2. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40071333
• Mamujee, Shehzana. “'To serve us in that behalf when our pleasure is to call for them': performing boys in Renaissance England.” Renaissance Studies , NOVEMBER 2014, Vol. 28, No. 5. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24423452
• Jones, Roger T. “The Role of the Junior English Schools in the Development of the Drama.” A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Loyola University September, 1944.
• Bradbrook, M.C. “’Silk? Satin? Kersey? Rags?’ The Choristers' Theater under Elizabeth and James.” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900 , Spring, 1961. Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/449339

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In 1944, a small town in Illinois was gripped with fear that someone was spraying a toxic gas into their homes as they slept. And while there have been several explanations, there isn’t any one that’s recognized or accepted as the truth. 

Research:

• “‘Anesthetic Prowler’ Covers City.” Journal Gazette. Sept. 5, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/93681179/?terms=%22Urban%20Raef%22%20&match=1
• “‘Anesthetic Prowler’ on Loose.” Journal Gazette. Sept. 2, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/93681104/?terms=%22%27Anesthetic%20Prowler%27%20%22%20%20Loose.%22&match=1
• “At Night in Mattoon.” Time. Sept. 18, 1944. https://web.archive.org/web/20080306220348/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,796678,00.html
• “Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning.” Centers for Disease Control. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/carbon_tetrachloride/docs/Carbon_Tetra_Patient_Ed_Sheet-508.pdf
• Chaplin, James Patrick. “Rumor, Fear, and the Madness of Crowds.” Ballantine Books. New York. 1959. Accessed onling: https://archive.org/details/rumorfearmadness00chap/page/10/mode/2up
• Fopay, Dave. “’Mad Gasser’ Author Points Finger at ‘Brilliant’ Chemistry Student.” Journal Gazette. June 30, 2003. https://www.newspapers.com/image/84792181/?terms=%22Farley%20Llewellyn%22%20&match=1
• “History of Coles County.” Coles County, Illinois Homepage. https://www.co.coles.il.us/genInfo.html#:~:text=Mattoon%20was%20founded%20as%20a,Stephen%20Doles%20and%20Ebenezer%20Noyes.
• “’Hysterical Mistake,’ Police Say of Mattoon’s Gas-Spraying.” Sun-Telegram (Richmond, Indiana). Sept. 13, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/253218677/?terms=%22Atlas%20Imperial%20Diesel%22%20Engine&match=1
• “Intensify Hunt For Paralysis Gas Prowler” Mattoon Orders Police on 24 Hour Watch.” Chicago Tribune. Sept. 7, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/370374182/?terms=%22anesthetic%20prowler%22%20&match=1
• “Is ‘Madman od Mattoon,’ Who Gasses Victims, Real or Result of Comic Book Imagination?” Press and Sun Bulletin. Sept. 8, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/260955754/?terms=Beulah%20Cordes&match=1
• Johnson, Brooke. “Author Claims to have solved ‘Mad Gasser.’” Journal Gazette. March 22, 2003. https://www.newspapers.com/image/84639401/
• “Mad Anesthetist Keeps Town Awake.” Independent. Sept 8, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/718770228/?terms=Beulah%20Cordes&match=1
• “Madman of Mattoon: 2 More are Victims of Phantom Prowler.” The Times Herald. Sept. 9, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/209765891/?terms=%22%27Anesthetic%20Prowler%27%20%22%20%20Loose.%22&match=1
• Maruna, Scott. “ The Mad Gasser of Mattoon: Dispelling the Hysteria.” Swamp Gas Book Company. 2003.
• Hereford, Robert A. “Mattoon Argues Over Denial That Prowler Exists.” St. Louis Star and Times. Sept. 13, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/205455415/?terms=%22Atlas%20Imperial%20Diesel%22%20Engine&match=1
• “Police Get Two False Alarms During Night.” Journal Gazette. Sept 13, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/93681538/?terms=%22Police%20get%20two%20false%20alarms%20during%20night%22&match=1
• “Prowler Sprays Fumes Which Cause Paralysis.” Times-Tribune. Sept. 7, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/534404923/?terms=%22anesthetic%20prowler%22%20&match=1
• “Some Say ‘Madman of Mattoon’ Is Hoax.” The Dispatch. Sept 8, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/340095570/?terms=Beulah%20Cordes&match=1
• Waters, Dustin. “The mystery of the ‘Mad Gasser of Mattoon’ who terrorized an Illinois town.” Washington Post. Oct. 30, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/10/30/mad-gasser-mattoon-illinois-mystery/
• “Wave of Hysteria Hits Mattoon; Police Watch Amateur Chemist.” The Palladium-Item. Sept. 12, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/253218459/?terms=%22Aline%20Kearney%22%20&match=1
• “We face the future knowing we have won … Staunch Friends.” Journal Gazette. Sept 26, 1944. https://www.newspapers.com/image/93682148/?terms=atlas%20diesel&match=1

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This two-parter from 2012 covers William Chester Minor, whose life was tumultuous. Medical school, mental health issues, and murder are all part of the story of this prolific contributor to the Oxford English Dictionary.

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Tracy and Holly discuss the high volume of work produced by both Webster and Worcester, the inconsistencies in Webster's work, and learning languages.

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Noah Webster Jr. and Joseph Emerson Worcester were both born in New England, both went to Yale, and both compiled multiple dictionaries during their lifetimes. But they were very different men, and those differences led to a lot of conflict. 

Research:

• "Joseph Emerson Worcester." Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1936. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/BT2310000221/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=28ed0fad. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• "Joseph Emerson Worcester." Oxford Reference. . . Date of access 13 Jun. 2023, https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803124726182
• Amherst College Library. “An Exhibit Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Noah Webster’s Birth October 16, 1758.” Archives and Special Collections Department. https://www.amherst.edu/library/archives/exhibitions/webster
• Bartels, Paul S. "Webster, Noah." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 291-293. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100736/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=3724fc61. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Joseph Emerson Worcester". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Emerson-Worcester. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Cassedy, Tim. “’A Dictionary Which We Do Not Want’: Defining America against Noah Webster, 1783–1810.” The William and Mary Quarterly , Vol. 71, No. 2 (April 2014). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5309/willmaryquar.71.2.0229
• Cmiel, Kenneth. "Dictionaries." Dictionary of American History, edited by Stanley I. Kutler, 3rd ed., vol. 3, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003, pp. 22-23. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3401801214/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=b1842afb. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Dobbs, Christopher. “Noah Webster and the Dream of a Common Language.” Connecticut History. 5/28/2021. https://connecticuthistory.org/noah-webster-and-the-dream-of-a-common-language/
• Garner, Bryan A. "Under an Orthographic Spell: Part I." National Review, vol. 75, no. 2, 6 Feb. 2023, p. 50. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A734881576/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=705eb3a3. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Garner, Bryan A. "Under an Orthographic Spell: Part II." National Review, vol. 75, no. 4, 6 Mar. 2023, p. 46. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A737639557/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=59f8ff8f. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• McDavid, Raven I.. "Noah Webster". Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 May. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noah-Webster-American-lexicographer. Accessed 14 June 2023.
• McHugh, Jess. “The Nationalist Roots of Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.” The Paris Review. 3/30/2018. https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/03/30/noah-websters-american-english/
• Merriam-Webster. “Noah Webster and America's First Dictionary.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/about-us/americas-first-dictionary
• Micklethwait, David. “Ghost-hunting?: The Search for Henry Bohn's First Worcester Dictionary.” Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America, Volume 38, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 47-66. https://doi.org/10.1353/dic.2017.0001
• Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society. “Noah Webster History.” https://noahwebsterhouse.org/noahwebsterhistory/
• Skinner, David. “Noah Webster, Chronicler of Disease.” HUMANITIES, Spring 2021, Volume 42, Number 2. https://www.neh.gov/article/noah-webster-chronicler-disease
• Yazawa, Melvin. “Webster, Noah.” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/68670

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The conflict between Noah Webster and Joseph Emerson Worcester, and their dictionaries came to be known as the Dictionary Wars. To set the scene, part one covers the biographies of the two men.

Research:

• "Joseph Emerson Worcester." Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1936. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/BT2310000221/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=28ed0fad. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• "Joseph Emerson Worcester." Oxford Reference. . . Date of access 13 Jun. 2023, https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803124726182
• Amherst College Library. “An Exhibit Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of Noah Webster’s Birth October 16, 1758.” Archives and Special Collections Department. https://www.amherst.edu/library/archives/exhibitions/webster
• Bartels, Paul S. "Webster, Noah." American Governance, edited by Stephen Schechter, et al., vol. 5, Macmillan Reference USA, 2016, pp. 291-293. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3629100736/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=3724fc61. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Joseph Emerson Worcester". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Joseph-Emerson-Worcester. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Cassedy, Tim. “’A Dictionary Which We Do Not Want’: Defining America against Noah Webster, 1783–1810.” The William and Mary Quarterly , Vol. 71, No. 2 (April 2014). Via JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5309/willmaryquar.71.2.0229
• Cmiel, Kenneth. "Dictionaries." Dictionary of American History, edited by Stanley I. Kutler, 3rd ed., vol. 3, Charles Scribner's Sons, 2003, pp. 22-23. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX3401801214/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=b1842afb. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Dobbs, Christopher. “Noah Webster and the Dream of a Common Language.” Connecticut History. 5/28/2021. https://connecticuthistory.org/noah-webster-and-the-dream-of-a-common-language/
• Garner, Bryan A. "Under an Orthographic Spell: Part I." National Review, vol. 75, no. 2, 6 Feb. 2023, p. 50. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A734881576/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=705eb3a3. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• Garner, Bryan A. "Under an Orthographic Spell: Part II." National Review, vol. 75, no. 4, 6 Mar. 2023, p. 46. Gale OneFile: Business, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A737639557/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=59f8ff8f. Accessed 13 June 2023.
• McDavid, Raven I.. "Noah Webster". Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 May. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Noah-Webster-American-lexicographer. Accessed 14 June 2023.
• McHugh, Jess. “The Nationalist Roots of Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary.” The Paris Review. 3/30/2018. https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2018/03/30/noah-websters-american-english/
• Merriam-Webster. “Noah Webster and America's First Dictionary.” https://www.merriam-webster.com/about-us/americas-first-dictionary
• Micklethwait, David. “Ghost-hunting?: The Search for Henry Bohn's First Worcester Dictionary.” Dictionaries: Journal of the Dictionary Society of North America, Volume 38, Issue 1, 2017, pp. 47-66. https://doi.org/10.1353/dic.2017.0001
• Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society. “Noah Webster History.” https://noahwebsterhouse.org/noahwebsterhistory/
• Skinner, David. “Noah Webster, Chronicler of Disease.” HUMANITIES, Spring 2021, Volume 42, Number 2. https://www.neh.gov/article/noah-webster-chronicler-disease
• Yazawa, Melvin. “Webster, Noah.” Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/68670

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This 2018 episode features Julian Eltinge, one of the highest-paid and most famous actors of the early 20th century. He acted alongside Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and Rudolph Valentino, and became. famous as a female impersonator.

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Holly and Tracy talk about Barbette's identity and speculation about his life. They also share stories of square dancing in school as kids. 

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