The history of saluting

[Arnold M. Zwicky]

On Aug 2, 2004, at 4:38 PM, Duane Campbell asked:

> ...In a university setting, if an instructor approaches the university
> president on the quad, who, if anyone, would speak first, if at all?

i've been through lots of presidents at three different universities
since i started as an assistant professor (one step up from instructor)
in 1965, and most of them not only didn't know me by sight, but they
probably didn't even recognize my name.  on the other hand, i knew
almost all the provosts at least socially, and a couple of ohio state's
presidents (once i became a distinguished professor and served as an
adviser to the president and provost).

i can't recall ever coming across one of these presidents or provosts
sauntering across campus, though.  they're unbelievably busy people.  i
have no idea who'd speak first -- maybe the first to catch sight of the
other.

arnold (zwicky at csli.stanford.edu)