Civil War Sunday - Fighting Joe Hooker and What Isn't In a Name

As my regular readers know I enjoy American Civil War trivia, especially when it takes an unexpected turn.

On January 26, 1863, General "Fighting Joe" Hooker was given command of the Union Army, the latest of a series of failed generals at leading that army.  Lincoln was looking for a general who would be an aggressive fighter, and it seemed that Hooker would ft into that role.

He didn't succeed as head of the Union army, and his failures led to the Battle of Gettysburg, but we are getting way ahead of ourselves.

Because of his reputation for hard drinking, hard partying, and a "wild" lifestyle with the ladies despite being married, there is one thing General Hooker is generally given credit for - which turns out not to be true, after all.

Many people who do not study the Civil War know one piece of common trivia, which is that women who engage in the world's oldest profession have many names, among them "Hookers".  Guess where that name came from?

As the story goes,  General Hooker, eager to engage in his favorite lifestyle, turned his headquarters into - well, a red light district of sorts. The women so attracted to Hooker and the soldiers under his command who took advantage of the situation were, therefore, called - Hookers.

And still are today.

Nice story.  Except it isn't true, according to my research.

It would seem that the name may date from around 1835, referring to an area of New York City, shaped like a hook, that was used as a red light district for sailors.  And, it is possible the word's origins are even earlier, into the 1600's.  Not a bad 400 year run for a word that supposedly originated during the Civil War.

Apparently, advice columnist Ann Landers, of all people, helped to set us straight.

There still is more than enough Civil War trivia to keep us all entertained. Sorry, General.