h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Dr Mary Edwards Walker: Army Physician, Feminist, Eccentric - A88036031
Author: Dmitri Gheorgheni, Post Editor - U1590784

When I found out last week that they'd renamed the last 'Confederate' fort for Dr Mary Walker, I let out a war whoop and ran for the Library of Congress and Internet Archive.

I KNEW they would portray this lady in the most glowing terms. After all, she was WOKE, right?

And I'd seen her photo. And I Knew Things. Also, I couldn't pass up the pleasure of writing a guide entry containing the word 'Oswegonians'. (Twice.)

I wish I'd met Mary Walker. She was a hoot. I hope you enjoy this.

Thank you - this Entry will be an asset to the Edited Guide

"A local woman once offered Dr Walker a glass of milk. She drank half and then said she'd 'save the rest for in the morning' – and then proceeded to stay overnight." - so cheeky!

Glad you were able to find such a great photo for the Entry Illustrates the text well - in particular, it is excellent to see the medal that was a fine honour indeed.

What is a 'masher'?

She apparently called the 'masher' a 'dude', which really confused me because I can't find that use of 'dude' (meaning 'dandy') in the 1860s otherwise.

'Masher' is the term from the 1890s-1910s for men who harass women in public. During that period, women used hatpins to discourage them. There were court cases. Judges and juries usually sided with the women, too. Excellent use of hatpins.

I'll go rewrite that to make it clearer.

And thanks for reading!

And there I was thinking it was what you used on potatoes to make shepherd's pie...

<BB<

Mrs Hoggett does. I prefer to use an electric hand mixer.

She's the one that keeps the dream alive
From the morning, past the evening
To the end of the light
Brimful of Masher on the 45
Well, it's a brimful of Masher on the 45

<BB<

I'm afraid that reference sailed over my head.

'Brimful of Asha' was the UK's first really successful Asian Rock record (it was referenced a lot in radio/television comedy 'Goodness Gracious Me') and is a tribute to Asha Bhosle, an Indian singer who has apparently recorded over 12,000 songs in more than 20 different languages (11,000 at the time of the record being granted 12 years ago), which is a world record: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/99223-most-studio-recordings-singles.

<BB<

I see. I still don't get what 'brimful of Masher on the 45' could possibly mean. Mysterious words, indeed.