[Boatanchors] Elmer

[Bruce]

Hello,

Actually, the term "elmer" is something relatively new, and only recently
has it come into any kind of common use.   It was first used in a March
1971 QST article by Dave Newkirk:

"Too frequently one hears a sad story in this little nutshell: 'Oh, I
almost got a ticket, too, but Elmer, W9XYZ, moved away and I kind of lost
interest.'"

Newkirk went on to say, "We need those Elmers. All the Elmers, including
the ham who took the most time and trouble to give you a push toward your
license, are the birds who keep this great game young and fresh."


What the ARRL thinks of the term "elmer" today:

 From the ARRL Web Site:

"Hams Helping Hams - ARRL Mentor Program"

"Welcome to the ARRL Mentor page. This page is going to be the central hub
for all things that deal with mentoring or Elmers and clubs. We have already
posted an initial set of resources to make navigating the site easier for
everyone and especially the new ham."

"There has been a bit of question as to why we are using the term mentor as
opposed to the traditional term Elmer. Ham radio does have its share of
tradition and lore, and to a lot of folks it seems that we are breaking from
tradition and discarding the affectionate term Elmer. Not so. Most folks
outside of Amateur Radio do not recognize what an Elmer is, but they do know
what a mentor is. And because this program is geared toward the new ham we
don't want to confuse anyone."


What some other hams think of the term "elmer" today:


I just wish that dumb-sounding term "elmer" would go away for good.

Don k4kyv


I hate that name, I always get a vision of Elmer Fudd or some unwashed 
mountain hillbilly.

Whoever thought it up should be strung up by the heels and beat with the 
Wouff Hong.

Carl
KM1H


I think that the time has come to retire "elmer" for good.

73, Bruce WA8TNC
===============
Al Klase wrote:
> Richard,
>
> Like you, I never heard the term Elmer until about 20 years ago, and I've 
> read a lot of old QST's. I kinda wish the guy who started this would 
> explain himself.
>
> My best guess is that it refers to Elmer E. Bucher , who was American 
> Marconi's chief instructor in the Pre-RCA era, and later served a similar 
> role under David Sarnoff.  He wrote book like "Practical Wireless 
> Telegraphy" and "Wireless Experimenter's Manual" which are classics.  
> Search Google Books for Elmer E. Bucher
>
> Al
>
>
> On 12/11/2012 12:19 PM, Richard Knoppow wrote:
>>   ...........  BTW, a puzzle to me is the term "elmer" to mean mentor. I 
>> never saw or heard this until about twenty years ago. You will not find 
>> it in any old handbook or list of ham radio slang.  I wonder where it 
>> originated and who "Elmer" was. ........
>