Derivation of the word oaktag

[Dave Wilton]

> Raised in California, Bay Area. Never heard the word until it
> came up in this question. So is it poster board or isn't it?
>
> Sounds like a trademark-gone-generic sort of derivation.


I was raised in New Jersey and the term is familiar from my school days.
Haven't heard it in years though. It is a thin poster board, beige in color.
Similar to the material used to make manila folders.

I am guessing that the "-tag" is from "tagboard," which the OED2 has from 1912
and refers to its use to make luggage tags. The "oak," and this is a shakier
guess, is from the color.

--
Dave Wilton
dave at wilton.net
http://www.wilton.net/dave.htm