[Ads-l] Further Antedating of "Kazoo"

[Peter Reitan]

FYI, today is National Kazoo Day.

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From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> on behalf of Geoffrey Nathan <00001a558db4a26e-dmarc-request at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 8:16:04 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Further Antedating of "Kazoo"

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Poster:       Geoffrey Nathan <geoffnathan at WAYNE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Further Antedating of "Kazoo"
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I know this is totally off-topic, but there is a
recording of Bolero played on the kazoo. Promoted by
Sandra Boynton. Just search for Boynton Bolero
on Youtube.

Geoff

Geoffrey S. Nathan

WSU Information Privacy Officer (Retired)

Emeritus Professor, Linguistics Program

http://blogs.wayne.edu/proftech/


geoffnathan at wayne.edu


Nobody at Wayne State will EVER ask you for your password. Never send it to=
 anyone in an email, no matter how authentic the email
 looks.






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From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> on behalf of Shapir=
o, Fred <00001ac016895344-dmarc-request at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 10:53 AM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Subject: Further Antedating of "Kazoo"


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Subject:      Further Antedating of "Kazoo"

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kazoo (OED 1884)



1882 Boston Weekly Globe 12 Dec. 5/7 (Newspapers.com)



KAZOO  The Great Egyptian MUSICAL WONDER  Found among the ruins of the Pyra=
=3D

mids.  Any tune played upon it, without practice, by man, woman, or child. =
=3D

 Imitates all birds, beasts, animals, or human beings. ... Kazoo Manufactur=
=3D

ing Co., Boston, Mass.



Fred Shapiro



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