[ETS/PARC List] [Fwd: Where did the term 'ELMER' come from?]

[Drew Moore]

 From ARRL, here is the answer to the question............."where did 
the term 'elmer' come from?
 
 
Now that you have found this page we will take a moment to tell everyone 
where the term Elmer is derived.
 
*Origin of the term "Elmer"*
** 
The term "Elmer"--meaning someone who provides personal guidance and 
assistance to would-be hams--first appeared in /QST/ in a March 1971 
"How's DX" column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB).
 Newkirk called them _"the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio."_ While he 
probably was not trying to coin a term at the time, here's how Newkirk 
introduced _"Elmer"_ in his column and, as it turned out, to the rest of 
the Amateur Radio world:
 
_"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."_/_-_-Rick Lindquist, N1RL/
 
As you can see, the term is not very old. Prior to the first use of 
Elmer as the one who guided and encouraged us, what were these folks 
called? I have received a lot of suggestions; teacher, mentor, tutor, 
guide, helper, sage? All are appropriate but my guess would be that 
first and foremost they were called friend.
/Norm Fusaro, W3IZ/
// 
// 
/73/
/Marvin,  K2VHW/