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Vol. 5, 2004 |
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EVERYTHING  "I wanted to call my play 'Much Anon About Nothing," but my editor held out for "Much Ado..." |
Here's the history behind
the useful 'ado' sayings
By SID FRIGAND
of TheColumnists.com
Q. Dr. Hyman Fallutin of Ritzville, Wash., writes: "It
is important for chiropractors like me to network. I belong to
many civic, social and business groups and attend as many of
their functions as possible. Without exception--whether it is
the Lake Moses Junior Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Ritzville
Loyal Order of the Moose Jubilee, or the Spokane Community Theater
black-tie fundraiser, there is always a featured speaker. In
introducing this guest of honor, the master-of-ceremonies always
reads off the biography of the guest and lists his or her accomplishments.
Then predictably, the emcee says: "and now, without further
ado, here's so-and-so."
In all my years attending these events, there has never been
ado before the introduction. Most of these get-togethers
are tame and boring--same people, same exchange of pleasantries,
same gossip. Frankly, a little ado could liven things
up. So, I ask you Almanac, why do they insist on saying this?
A. Curbing ado at gatherings is a tradition that reputedly
started in the early 1870's in New York City when the first meetings
of the American Shriners*
were held. These fun-living
practitioners of high-jinks, pranks and hilarious goings-on were
so busy giving each other hot-foots, planting whoopee cushions,
squirting lapel flowers and wearing spectacles with bouncing
eyeballs that it was difficult to call them to order when their
Imperial Potentate was about to address them.
Recently, H. Stentor Bilge**, president of The American Association
of Toastmasters, has expressed alarm about cliched introductions
that have entrenched themselves into our meeting rituals. "Without
further ado" is only part of the problem," he said.
"What about the nonsense of "Let's put our hands together
and give a rousing (name of organization) welcome to our distinguished
guest (name)!"
You can take some satisfaction, Dr. Fallutin, in the knowledge
that several groups and organizations are actively campaigning
for the furtherance of ado at their meetings and convocations,
e.g.: The Friars Club, the International Fellowship of Mummers,
the Israeli Knesset and the Democratic National Committee***.
The word ado has its origins in 14th century Britain.
It was a contraction of at do, which apparently makes
no sense now and probably didn't then. Perhaps that's why they
introduced to-do that now means the same thing as ado.
Clear?
Over time do became one the most popular all-purpose
words in our language. We ask, How do you do?
when we meet someone and ask, What do you do?
later on. We can make
do, do away, do up, outdo and you can even do in someone
if your nose is bent the wrong way. We can also do drugs, do dishes and do our hair
with the same verbal equanimity
as we do it with a lover. If we're not careful
we can even step in doggie do on
the way home. And, importantly, even more care has to be exerted
before you finally say: I
do.
________________________________________________________________________
* The official
name for the Shriners--an offshoot of the Freemasons--is the
Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. They
wear red fezzes and other Moroccan-inspired paraphernalia at
their meetings and outings. They cause much ado among security
personnel at airports and other transportation hubs these days.
** Bilge is reputed to be the grandson of the singer-vaudevillian
George Jessel, who became famous in later years as the ubiquitous
Toastmaster General of the United States. He persisted in emceeing
events long into his dotage, sometimes not quite sure of whom
he was introducing at what event. He died at 93 in 1981.
*** Is isn't yet clear whether the Republican National
Committee will also press to further ado at their up-coming Convention.
The crafty Convention planners might try carefully orchestrated
ado if it can be controlled to public relations advantage. Meanwhile,
according to police reports, hundreds of thousands of protesters
are petitioning to generate as much ado as police barriers and
police patience will permit.
©2004 by Sid Frigand. The illustration is from IMSI's Master
Clips Collection, 1895 Francisco Blvd. E., San Rafael, CA, 94901-5506,
USA.
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can comment on this column online. Please address your message
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