Antedating of schliemiel (1889)

[James Smith]

Note:  Schlémil is spelled Schemil in some versions of
"Contes..."

--- James Smith <jsmithjamessmith at YAHOO.COM> wrote:
> The character "Schlémil" is in Offenbach's "Contes
> d"Hoffman" that premiered in Paris in 1881
> (composition finished in 1880).  Schlémil is
> certainly
> a schlimiel, and I've always considered the name as
> deliberatly and aptly chosen.  Offenbach probably
> spoke or was at least familiar with Yiddish.  So
> far,
> the date of the English and American premiers, which
> may or may not lead to an antedating, have eluded
> me.
>
> --- Sam Clements <SClements at NEO.RR.COM> wrote:
> > 14 Oct. 1889  _Sandusky Daily Register_   2/2
> >
> > <<The ancient Israelites called a man who was
> > peculiarly unlucky a Schlemiel.  No matter what
> his
> > opportunities he was sure to have ill luck. >>
>
>
> =====
> James D. SMITH                 |If history teaches
> anything
> South SLC, UT                  |it is that we will
> be sued
> jsmithjamessmith at yahoo.com     |whether we act
> quickly and decisively
>                                |or slowly and
> cautiously.
>
> __________________________________
> Do you Yahoo!?
> Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.
> http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools


=====
James D. SMITH                 |If history teaches anything
South SLC, UT                  |it is that we will be sued
jsmithjamessmith at yahoo.com     |whether we act quickly and decisively
                               |or slowly and cautiously.

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want.
http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools