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Birds are a popular kind of mascot.
So are cuddly looking creatures of indeterminate species. For some sports teams aggressive looking beasts with lots of teeth.
But I haven’t noticed too many mascots in black pointy hats riding on broomsticks. Etymologically that might be the most appropriate kind of mascot.
Right at the end of 1880 an operetta called La Mascotte played first in French and then in English in 1881 introducing the English speaking world to the word mascot.
The operetta is about a girl named Bettina who is sent to take care of the turkeys of an unlucky farmer by the farmer’s brother.
Bettina is said to be a living good luck charm but the farmer doesn’t believe it. But before he can send her packing, a local prince appears on his doorstep and the farmer becomes court chamberlain.
Bettina is also drawn into the court intrigue but then runs away with her boyfriend who had originally been a farm boy with her.
They join the army, she dressed as a boy, and the army unsurprisingly wins all its battles.
Lucky Bettina is called a mascotte because French had a word that had come from the Provençal word mascoto meaning “magic charm.”
This is thought to have come earlier from Latin where masca meant a witch; the one who applied the magic charm.
In a time when mass media was restricted to print and live performance an operetta like La Mascotte was enough to launch a new word into English.
People started to call themselves or others mascots and because inanimate objects could be lucky too, by the first world war fighter pilots were said to bring mascots with them on their missions; here we are talking lucky rabbit’s foot not farm girl.
The transition from lucky charm to branding symbol might be associated with hood ornaments that used to protrude from the front of cars. The various winged women, big cats and other symbols sticking up at the front of the car were also called mascots.
Though The Oxford English Dictionary has updated its entry for mascot as recently as 2008, there is no indication there as to when someone dressed up in a costume representing a sports team’s brand was first called a mascot.
Five days a week Charles Hodgson produces Podictionary – the podcast for word lovers, Thursday episodes here at OUPblog. He’s also the author of several books including his latest History of Wine Words – An Intoxicating Dictionary of Etymology from the Vineyard, Glass, and Bottle.
By: Chud Tsankov,
on 4/6/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Chud Tsankov,
on 4/2/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: fun, cartoon, bunny, happy, Easter, mascot, week challenge, chud tsankov, Add a tag
By: Chud Tsankov,
on 2/13/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: design, fun, humor, character, mascot, greek myth, artoon, Add a tag
Hello, everybody!This is my first post. http://www.chudtsankov.com
By: m.b,
on 4/19/2008
Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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A few weeks ago a I posted my digital sketch of this little slush monster asking for all your votes and support. And everyone came through! Thanks so much to those of you who voted for me! My slush monster did collect the most votes and I finished the drawing of him for the blog is is now the mascot of.
Thanks everyone!
By: Garden Painter Art,
on 5/20/2007
Blog: Garden Painter Art (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: family history, collage, mixed media, gardening, gnarly-dolls, Garden Painter Art, Kimberly Wlassak, Kim's Kandid Kamera, Sunday dinner, chicken pot pie, Add a tag
The morning has slipped by without a warning. We're freshly back from Church and on to the task of making an early dinner. My mom will join us for our favorite meal of homemade Chicken Pot Pie, fresh green beans, corn on the cob, a nice big salad and a warm pan of cornbread. Desert will be mom's "famous" Strawberry Shortcake.
My Chicken Pot Pie
I love these early-ish Sunday dinners and the memories that they can create. It's a time to be together and enjoy the simple act of sharing a meal.
In the meantime, Gary and my youngest son, Brayden, have gone to pick up the last load of stones for my garden path. We need 120 stones altogether. We brought 63 home yesterday and today they have gone back to get the remaining 57. This will truly be a task, but one that will be worth the labor.
Garden Stones
Yesterday was a very busy and hectic Saturday, and as a result, I wasn't able to visit here, although I did list 2 collage prints in My Etsy Shop.
"Simple Bird #13" Collage ACEO Print
"Happy Glamour Girl" 4" x 6" Collage Print
I hope this finds all of you having a relaxing Sunday with hopes for a smashing week ahead!!
Until Tomorrow:
Kim
Garden Painter Art
gnarly-dolls
Kim's Kandid Kamera
Another fun illo Chud. I Like it.
Nice Bunny design... flower, too!