[OKDXA] Origin of "Slim"

[Jeff Martin]

Good Morning OKDXA...

Since Pirates have been in the discussion recently, have you ever 
wondered where the name Slim originated? I found this recently:

Origin Of "Slim"

   On a date in the mid-1960s, an operator showed up on 20 meters CW, 
identifying himself as 8X8A, claiming he was located on "Cray Island," 
an island that had just emerged from the ocean floor following a major 
undersea volcanic event. The operator said his name was "Slim." Huge 
pileups endured for a few days, then "Slim" was exposed as a pirate and 
he disappeared from the bands. Ever since, Pirates have been called 
"Slim." What made "Slim's" claim even partly credible in the first place 
was the emergence of Surtsey, an island near Iceland in 1964. Surtsey 
rose from the floor of the Atlantic as a result of undersea volcanic 
activity. It was a major news event at the time... So, the legend of 
"Slim" began...
   Slim was a proficient CW man, and world traveler. There was Rangoon 
Slim and Pyongyang Slim and Tirana Slim from Albania. Who remembers some 
others? Have you worked Slim?
   DX Is!

73,
Jeff - K5WE