[New-Poetry] Re: Leaves of Grass

[David Graham]

I found this definition in *Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase & Fable*,  
1898 edition, which seems to support the etymology:

      "A grass-hand is a compositor who fills a temporary vacancy."



========================================
David Graham
grahamd at ripon.edu

Home Page:
http://web.mac.com/drjazz

Poetry Library:
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On Jul 4, 2008, at 12:58 PM, David Weinstock wrote:

> I was also surprised by it. My credentials for being surprised are  
> being a former member of the American Printing Historical  
> Association, an interpreter in the printing exhibit of a historical  
> museum, and a collector of type and presses.
>
> BUT it could be true.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 1:03 PM, Chris Lott <chris.lott at gmail.com>  
> wrote:
> On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 07:09, David Graham <grahamd at ripon.edu> wrote:
> >
> > 'Grass' is a printer's term; it refers to a casual job
> > that can be set up between busy times."
>
> That's news to this printing and press and Whitman enthusiast. I
> wonder if Whitman was aware of the term (the implication is that he
> was, but to never see it mentioned anywhere before makes me wonder).
>
> c
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> ..........................................................
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> DAVID WEINSTOCK
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