Derivation of the word oaktag

[Gerry Hurley]

Hi Millie,

My husband and I both grew up in New York City (Manhattan).
We now live in Arlington, MA (near Boston).  The person who
asked my husband about the derivation of oaktag is a designer
he is working with on a project.  She lives in Connecticut.

Thanks to all of you for the fascinating and helpful responses.
If you ever have a "librarian" type question, do contact me.
I'll try to help.

Gerry Hurley


-----Original Message-----
From: Millie Webb
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Sent: 12/19/2002 7:28 PM
Subject: Re: Derivation of the word oaktag

FWIW on my end: I grew up in Minnesota, and have lived "Up North" (MN,
MI,WI) my whole life.  I had never heard it called "oaktag" until this
question came up.  Now, I have not been an elementary school art teacher
either... But to me, it has always been "tagboard" or "poster board".  This
might lend some more credence to the "NY-Thang" theory.  Where are you
checking in from, Gerry?
-- Millie

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gerry Hurley" <GHurley at OVID.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2002 2:49 PM
Subject: Derivation of the word oaktag


> Hi,
>
> I'm a librarian and my husband asked me if I could find out
> the derivation of the word "oaktag" (that kind of heavy paper
> we all used in kindergarten).  It's also called tagboard and
> sometimes posterboard.  I'm drawing a blank. I've searched
> the web, looked at art web sites; used the paper and pulp
> encyclopedia, dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc.  I can find
> definitions and explanations of what oaktag it, but I can't find
> any info on why/how the word came into being.