Chad (paper chip[s]) 1930-1932, 1938-1940

[Douglas G. Wilson]

>.... Here's speculation. If chad meant worthless paper, chaff,
>before WW II,
>might the Mr. Chad graffito with the words "wot no____" (water, beer, turkey,
>beef, etc.) relate to ration coupons, effectively worthless paper when no
>supplies were at hand?

I don't know that "chad[s]" = "chaff"/etc. was part of the general public's
vocabulary at any time. AFAIK "chad[s]" = "punched-out [paper] chip[s]" was
industrial -- particularly telegraphy-industry -- jargon. I don't know of
the existence of "chad[s]" = "waste paper in general". Of course I could be
missing something again.

-- Doug Wilson


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