Ask Mr. Know It All

By Gary Clothier

Q. According to my newspaper, Lake Superior State University in Michigan released its 37th annual List of Words Banished From the Queen’s English for Misuse, Overuse and General Uselessness. The list of a dozen words includes “amazing” (I rarely hear that one), “man cave” (what am I supposed to call my getaway spot?) and “baby bump” (hey, I like that one). The one that has me confused is “blowback.” I have never heard it used; I don’t even know what it means. Do you?

L.L., Enid, Okla.

A. I had never heard it, either. I went to the Lake Superior State University website and found the list, along with an explanation of the words. “Blowback” is described as sometimes being exchanged with “pushback” to mean resistance. An example was used: “If we send out the press release, how should we handle the blowback from the community?” The word “reaction” would have been just as appropriate.

Q. I’m confused. In some writing I see the word “e-mail,” while other times I see “email.” Which is the correct spelling?

J.E., Seattle

A. I checked several dictionaries and found the spelling to be “e-mail.” How nice, I thought — a quick and easy answer. But answers are seldom quick and easy; I continued to search.

It appears that word- usage experts are in disagreement. Maybe my editor for this column would like to add a note. There is agreement, though, on one thing: Unless it’s at the beginning of a sentence, the “e” is not capitalized.

(Editor’s note: According to The Associated Press Stylebook, which is the word-usage bible for newspaper journalists, “email” is not hyphenated.)

Q. Recently, I went to see the movie “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” It was fantastic! What can you tell me about the actress who played Lisbeth? Has she appeared in any other films?

G.W.H., Pensacola, Fla.

A. Lisbeth Salander was played by (Patricia) Rooney Mara, who was born in 1985 in Bedford, N.Y. She showed little interest in acting until her late teens. She graduated from New York University, where she became involved in student films, in 2010.

In 2005, Rooney Mara appeared with her sister, Kate Mara, in her first commercial film, a horror movie titled “Urban Legends: Bloody Mary.” Over the next few years she appeared in guest roles on TV and bit parts in movies. Her big break was the lead in the 2010 remake of “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and, later that year, in “The Social Network.” She was then cast for the lead in “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.” She’s involved in two films, one to be released later this year and the other next year.

DID YOU KNOW?

During his teenage years, Liam Neeson was a boxer in Northern Ireland and won the Irish Youth Championship.

Q. How many states did the Pony Express go through?

G.H., Youngstown, Ohio

A. That’s too easy; I suspect a trick question here. The Pony Express mail service operated from April 1860 through October 1861. The route went through the current states of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and California. At the time, only Missouri and California were states. The others were territories (though Kansas became a state in January 1861).

Q. Switch hitters are common in baseball. What about switch pitchers?

W.K., Allentown, Pa.

A. I don’t know of any current major-league pitchers who can throw with either hand. There is one in the minor leagues: Pat Venditte, who plays for the New York Yankees’ farm team.

The only modern-era major-league switch pitcher was Greg Harris. He finished his 15-year career with the Montreal Expos in 1995 with a 74-90 win-loss record, a 3.69 earned run average and 1,141 strikeouts. I know of at least four ambidextrous pitchers who played in the 1800s.

Q. I have two questions about the TV show “Leave It to Beaver.” My first question: What was the name of Beaver’s elementary school? My second question: If his name was Theodore Cleaver, why was he called Beaver?

B.L., Naples, Fla.

A. Theodore (Jerry Mathers) attended Grant Avenue Grammar School in the fictitious community of Mayfield. His nickname, “Beaver,” came about because his older brother, Wally (Tony Dow), was unable as a youngster to pronounce the name Theodore. Wally’s version sounded like Beaver, and thus a nickname was created.

Q. Gen. George Armstrong Custer was killed in June 1876 during the Battle of the Little Bighorn; he was 36. I know he was married, but what became of his wife?

P.A.C., Dover, Del.

A. In 1864, Custer married Elizabeth “Libbie” Bacon (1842-1933). After the death of her husband, she wrote several books glorifying his memory and became a one-woman advocate for her husband’s legacy. Her three books — “Boots and Saddles” (1885), “Following the Guidon” (1890) and “Tenting on the Plains” (1893) — are still available in print and electronic editions. Besides her books, she also wrote articles and toured extensively promoting the memory of her husband.

Financially, Elizabeth did quite well for herself. When her husband died, she was faced with a large debt that he had accumulated. But by the time of her death she was a wealthy woman.

Send your questions to Mr. Know-It-All at AskMrKIA@gmail.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

2012 Gary Clothier