| Tuesday, September 29, 2009 |
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| A British Bobby |
Answer of the DayWhy are London's police called "bobbies"? London's reorganized police force went on duty on this date in 1829. British Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel introduced the legislation establishing the new police force, hence the popular nickname for London police, "bobbies." Early London police were also called "Peelers," also for Sir Robert. His Peelian Principles called for the accountability of each officer (all officers were given individual badge numbers) and for a focus on ethical standards in crime-fighting. Peel was quoted as saying, "The police are the public and the public are the police." Scotland Yard got its name from the street where the police headquarters were located. It purportedly had been the site of a palace used to house visiting Scottish kings in the 12th century.
Quote"I hadn't realized until I covered the police beat just how seedy crime is."
Word of the daydekko
IN BRIEF: n. - British slang for quick look.
George Bernard Shaw pithily observed, "England and America are two countries separated by a common language." For the next fortnight, we'll examine words that are current in the UK but may be unfamiliar to the average American.
Today's History
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| King Richard II |
- Richard II: became the first English king to abdicate his throne; he was forced to do so by his successor, Henry IV, and died shortly thereafter
- The Catch: Willie Mays of the New York Giants snagged a 450-foot blast from the Indians' Vic Wertz in the World Series in one of baseball's most memorable plays (1954)
- Tylenol scare: began with the first of seven deaths in the Chicago area from ingestion of cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules (1982)
Today's Birthdays
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| Lech Walesa |
- Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616): author of Don Quixote
- Enrico Fermi (1901-1954): pioneer in nuclear fission
- Jean-Luc Ponty (67): jazz violinist; other musicians born on this date include Jerry Lee Lewis (74), Mike Post (65), Mike Pinera (61), Suzzy Roche (53) and Les Claypool (46)
- Lech Walesa (66): labor leader who became president of Poland; plus Mexican president Miguel Alemán (1902-1983)
- Bryant Gumbel (61): TV journalist and sportscaster
- Zachary Levi (29): the titular star of Chuck; also, actors Greer Garson (1904-1996), Trevor Howard (1913-1988), Lizabeth Scott (87), Steve Forrest (85), Anita Ekberg (78), Ian McShane (67), Drake Hogestyn (56), Jill Whelan (43), Emily Lloyd (39) and Rachel Cronin (38)
