whammy antedating (was Al Capp)

[Fred Shapiro]

On Tue, 9 Nov 2004, Mullins, Bill wrote:

> Sporting News, 8/10/1939, p. 1 col 2:
> "By playing only .333 ball the past week, losing four and winning two of the
> games they played August 1 to August 6, includsive, the Reds lost four and a
> half games from their first-place margin, causing many superstitious fans to
> wonder if President Powel Crosley, Jr., and General Manager Warren Giles put
> the whammy on their team by getting ready to increase the Crosley Field
> seating capacity."

Nice antedating.  I hope pointing out an earlier occurrence doesn't
discourage the fine research you are doing:

1936 _N.Y. Times_ 5 July S2  There is only one team of the Dodger variety.
"That's one too many," said Mr. Brannick gloomily.  "They put the whammy
on us."

Fred Shapiro


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