[Ads-l] Note on "jass"

[Jonathan Lighter]

Don't know if anyone has called attention to this, or even if it's of
any significance.

I've always wondered about the spelling of the "Original Dixie Land Jass Band."

The cartoonist Harold Knerr, best known for taking over "The
Katzenjammer Kids" in 1914, earlier penned a knock-off strip called
"Die Fineheimer Twins," which began in 1903 and was syndicated
nationally. It was still running in 1912.

The Twins speak with a grotesque German-inspired accent. One recurring
feature is the word "Jass," which means "yes."

1903 _Philadelphia Inquirer_  (March 15)   "Here iss der chance off a
lifetime!" "Jass! Lets get some egs und stuff!"

Etc., etc.  It seems likely that some readers under the age of twelve
might have started saying "Jass!" That may have nothing to do with
"jazz," but Knerr might be the source of the spelling "jass."


JL
-- 
"If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."

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