Jerry Summers
Although the term “scuttlebutt” has not been ingested into the current conversation involving the “eyesore” of the proposed Westside development and new Chattanooga Lookouts baseball stadium it will not be inappropriate to suggest that it be included in both the “pro and con” discussions underway by proponents and opponents of the projects.
However, the word “scuttlebutt” actually comes from sailors of the British Navy.
19th century warships had large wooden casks with holes cut in the lid for drinking water. The word “scuttle” means a hole, like the one created to sink a ship or the one in the cask. The water cask way is called a “butt!”
A remark is made that as was once done around the water coolers in offices, sailors would exchange the latest gossip while getting a drink at the “Scuttlebutt.”
(No intention is made to express an opinion on the positions of the author on the afore-mentioned projects!)
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You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com)