Although I am, right now excavating a 20th century site, this
discussion seems to be drifting a bit. But it is very fascinating so
here goes. As we drove back from the site last week we got into a
discussion of where the phrase "to give someone the bird" or
"flipping the bird" comes from rather than saying just ---- you. It
must be as old as the "happy face", much older, and probably does not
descend from the Peace Symbol. We do, by the way, have a metal Peace
Symbol on the Penn campus from the 1960s ("Above Ground
Archaeology"), the only thing the Central Administration would allow
the Anti-War Movement.
Back to the archaeology of words and phrases - What bird ??
Bob Schuyler
At 08:27 AM 10/22/2008, you wrote:
>I think the peace symbol is an adaptation of signal corps flags
>(semaphore letters) for N and D - nuclear disarmament. It was the symbol
>of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.
>
>http://www.cnduk.org/index.php/information/info-sheets/the-cnd-logo.html
>
>
>Daniel B. Davis
>Archaeologist Coordinator
>Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
>Division of Environmental Analysis
>200 Mero Street
>Frankfort, KY 40622
>(502) 564-7250
>-----Original Message-----
>From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ron
>May
>Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 4:26 AM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: question re "happy face" pins
>
>The so-called Peace Sign is actually a Norse Rune adopted by the
>anti-nuclear movement in the late 1950s. I recall seeing a group of
>protestors standing
>outside General Atomic in San Diego in 1958 and the signs had that
>symbol.
>Over time, the Rune shifted to protest war and by the 1960s it became
>the Peace
>symbol.
>
>Ron May
>Legacy 106, Inc.
>
>
>In a message dated 10/21/2008 9:38:03 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>[log in to unmask] writes:
>
>Happy Faces and "Peace Signs" were both common while I was in the army
>in
>Germany in early 1969 and more so while stationed at Ft. Bliss in late
>1969
>and early 1970.* * I remember "peace signs" from the army in 1968 and
>before
>I was drafted (in 1968) back in 1967.
>
>:-)
>
>
>
>On Tue, Oct 21, 2008 at 4:16 PM, Cami McCraw <[log in to unmask]>
>wrote:
>
> > Hi Matthew,
> > -Also building on what Ron May just posted, I really think it came
>around
> > 1970. I know for sure I had never heard of it in elementary school,
>but it
> > was the 'in-thing' at some point in 6th grade, (1970-71).
> > Now, maybe it was 'invented' before that, but just became popular at
>least
> > where I was in 1970. Back then with no internet and limited
>television,
>fads
> > took a little bit longer to spread. (I'm not an archaeologist BUT we
>are
> > radio/TV/editing folks.)
> > By the time I entered high school ('73), we were also beginning to
>see
> > these same smiley faces in various colors instead of only yellow.
>(But of
> > course those were never as popular as the yellow!)
> > I do think it was very much tied in with the Nixon era, and wasn't
>Nixon
> > always flashing the 'Peace' sign on television? So yes, the smiley
>face was
> > tied in to 'Peace & Love and general happiness'. I believe the
>'flower
> > power' stuff may have started in the late-60s, so just before the
>smiley
> > faces. (But you are right- not much difference.)
> > If anyone ever has a chance to see old TV reruns of 'The Wonder
>Years',
> > you'll get an accurate window into the fads of those times and even
>the
> > political ties, especially if you pay attention to the small details
>in the
> > show. (Folks my age won't need that, but for younger listmembers it
>may be
> > helpful.)
> > -Cami
> > http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/NewChronology/
> > http://stretchproductions.com/RohlProducts.html
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Matthew Tomaso"
><[log in to unmask]>
> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
> > Sent: Tuesday, October 21, 2008 3:27 PM
> > Subject: Re: question re "happy face" pins
> >
> >
> > I remember them from the early 70s as well. I was never quite sure
> >> whether to symbolically associate them with flower power or the
>'don't
>worry
> >> be happy' rhetoric of the Johnson and Nixon Administrations.
>Perhaps
>there
> >> isn't much difference.
> >>
> >> Matthew S. Tomaso, M. A., RPA
> >> Senior Archaeologist and Project Manager
> >> Cultural Resource Consulting Group
> >> O: 732-247-8880 x-30
> >> Cell: 908-875-0345
> >>
> >
>
>
>--
>Smoke Pfeiffer
>
>Remember: When seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
>
>
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