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Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam, nickname for the people or government of the U.S. The first recorded use occurs in the Troy Post (Sept. 7, 1813), where it is said to be derived from the letters U.S. on government wagons. Thereafter it appeared frequently in upstate New York newspapers, and seems to have been derisively used by those who opposed the War of 1812. Other theories concerning its origin may be found, but the one above seems the most acceptable. The first appearance of the name in book form was in The Adventures of Uncle Sam (1816) by “ Frederick Augustus Fidfaddy, Esq.” The first foreigner to use the term was the Englishman William Faux, who employed it frequently in his Memorable Days in America (1823). By 1860 the term had passed into the dictionary without any opprobrious connotation. The costume of Uncle Sam derives from that of Jack Downing, whom he replaced as the national symbol in cartoons. The clown Dan Rice performed in such a costume.
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James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Uncle Sam." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Uncle Sam." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-UncleSam.html James D. Hart and and Phillip W. Leininger. "Uncle Sam." The Oxford Companion to American Literature. 1995. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-UncleSam.html |
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Uncle Sam
UNCLE SAMUNCLE SAM, a nickname of the U.S. government, first used during the War of 1812. Critics of the war applied the term somewhat derisively to customhouse officers and to soldiers while the "war hawks" generally avoided it. As contemporary newspapers show, the term was doubtless a jocular expansion of the letters "U.S." on uniforms and government property. The name is also identified with Samuel Wilson of Troy, N.Y. (1766–1854), known as "Uncle Sam" Wilson, who supplied barrels of beef to the government. In 1961 Congress recognized Wilson as a namesake for America's symbol, which over the years has lost its negative connotations. BIBLIOGRAPHYKetchum, Alton. Uncle Sam: The Man and the Legend. New York: Hill and Wang, 1959. AlbertMatthews/c. w. See alsoWar Hawks ; War of 1812 . |
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"Uncle Sam." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Uncle Sam." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401804309.html "Uncle Sam." Dictionary of American History. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3401804309.html |
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Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam name used to designate the U.S. government. The term arose in the War of 1812 and seems at first to have been used derisively by those opposed to the war. Possibly it was an expansion of the letters "U.S." on uniforms and government property, but some sources attribute the origin of the term to Samuel Wilson (1766–1854) of Troy, N.Y. Wilson, whose nickname was Uncle Sam, was an inspector of army supplies. The "U.S." stamped on supplies was referred to as "Uncle Sam" by the workmen. Regardless of origin, the term found wide application and became permanent. |
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"Uncle Sam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Uncle Sam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-UncleSam.html "Uncle Sam." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-UncleSam.html |
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Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam Symbolic figure personalizing the USA. The name was first used during the War of 1812. The appearance of Uncle Sam, tall, thin and frock-coated, was developed by 19th-century cartoonists.
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"Uncle Sam." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Uncle Sam." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-UncleSam.html "Uncle Sam." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-UncleSam.html |
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Uncle Sam
Un·cle Sam / sam/ a personification of the federal government or citizens of the U.S., typically portrayed as a tall, thin, bearded man wearing a suit of red, white, and blue. |
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"Uncle Sam." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Uncle Sam." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-unclesam.html "Uncle Sam." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-unclesam.html |
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