Why Are They Called Hookers - T-Tees - Your Answers Await, Life's Questions Unraveled

Dear Ann Landers: It looks as if “A Buff in Ft. Dodge” hooked you in with the origin of the word “hooker.” The American Heritage Dictionary, computer version, makes it clear that the word was already in use to mean “prostitute” well before Gen. Hooker’s time and that it therefore could not have originated as the reader described. This is the gist of the word’s history:

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The word “hooker,” meaning “prostitute,” is in fact older than the Civil War. It appeared in the second edition of John Russell Bartlett’s “Dictionary of Americanisms,” published in 1856. Bartlett defined hooker as “a strumpet, a sailor’s trull.” He also guessed that the word was derived from Corlear’s Hook, a district in New York City, but there is no evidence that the term originated in New York.

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Norman Ellsworth Eliason traced this use of “hooker” back to 1845 in North Carolina. He reported the usage in “Tarheel Talk, an Historical Study of the English Language in North Carolina to 1860,” published in 1956. The fact that we have no earlier written evidence does not mean that “hooker” was never used to mean “prostitute” before 1845. The history of “hooker” is, quite simply, murky; we do not know when or where it was first used, but we can be very certain that it did not begin with Joseph Hooker.

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However, the late Bruce Catton, Civil War historian, didn’t completely exonerate Gen. Hooker. Catton said the term became popular during the Civil War-probably because there was a red-light district in Washington, which became known as Hooker’s Division in tribute to the proclivities of the lusty general. If the term “hooker” was derived neither from Joseph Hooker nor from Corlear’s Hook, what then is its derivation? It is most likely, etymologically, simply “one who hooks.” The term portrays a prostitute as a person who hooks, or snares, clients. No wonder it wasn’t taught in school.

Frank in San Diego

Dear Frank: Thanks for the history lesson. I didn’t realize there were so many scholars who were interested in hookers. Some of the letters were very funny. Thanks to all who wrote.

Dear Ann Landers: I am 76. After 16 years of living alone, I have finally met a man I can care for. I believe “George” is quite fond of me, but here is the problem.

George has a little dog he loves more than life. The dog sleeps with him and goes everywhere George goes. I can’t blame him for being attached to a pet that has been his constant companion for five years. After all, I have a cat that sleeps with me. However, this dog barks constantly while riding in the car and jumps all over me. I dread going anyplace with George because of the jumping and high-pitched barking. I’m afraid to say anything for fear George will quit seeing me.

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Is there a future for this relationship? If so, what would be the best approach for me to let George know I’d like to focus more attention on him and less on the dog?

Oregon Dilemma

Dear Dilemma: Don’t compete with the dog. You’ll lose. Use earplugs when you ride with George, and when you put them in, make a big point of how much the barking bothers your ears.

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“The Ann Landers Guide for Brides” has all the answers to wedding questions. Send a self-addressed, business-size envelope and a check or money order for $3.65 to: Brides, c/o Ann Landers, P.O. Box 11562, Chicago, Ill. 60611-0562.

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