STORIES BEHIND INSULTS
• In 1765 the John Newbery Publishing Company of London produced a children’s book. In the story, Margery Meanwell is an orphan who is so poor that she has only one shoe. But because of her virtuousness, a rich man rewards her with new shoes, which causes her to go throughout the town proclaiming to all she meets that she now is the proud owner of a matching pair of shoes.
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• Her unassailable virtue continues, and she is eventually rewarded by marrying a rich widower. The book became one of the most popular children’s books of the day. The very virtuous Margery Meanwell became known by her nickname, not only in the book but also throughout society. • Today Margery Meanwell’s nickname means someone who is annoyingly virtuous. The dictionary defines it as “characterized by inept manifestations of good or pious sentiment.” What was Margery’s nickname? (answer at bottom of page)
SPINELESS WIMP
• Ambrose Philips and Alexander Pope were both English poets. In 1709 a publisher called for entries to a collection of poems he was producing, and both Philips and Pope submitted poems which were accepted. Philips’ poem was praised in a local paper, while Pope’s poem was not mentioned. This snub made Pope angry, and a war of words ensued between the two poets. • Years later, Philips wrote a series of silly rhyming poems for the young children of some aristocratic friends of his, and the poems were widely circulated. ***** Answer: Goody Two-Shoes. “Goody” was a common greeting, short for “goodwife.” ...continued
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