Subj : Strange a bit
To   : Mike Powell
From : Ardith Hinton
Date : Sun Oct 20 2024 23:20:18

Hi, Mike!  Recently you wrote in a message to ED VANCE:

EV>  A. A. Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh, didn't invent the
EV>  bear's name. His son, Christopher Robin Milne, called his own
EV>  teddy bear Winnie after a visit to the London Zoo, where he
EV>  saw a bear named for Winnipeg, Manitoba (Canada).

MP>  Slightly OT

          No problem AFAIC.  In discussing language & literature... which is what we do in this echo... it's generally regarded as a courtesy to tell the reader how &/or where you obtained your information, as you did.

          I am also happy to expand on the historical & sociological details which pertain to the study of English if others are interested.


MP>  in 2017, I visited White River, Ontario, the town where Winnie
MP>  was found.  The bear was named after the hometown of the
MP>  Canadian cavalry Captain who adopted the orphan bear in 1914.
MP>  It became the mascot for their brigade while they were stationed
MP>  in England, and was left at the London Zoo when the Captian was
MP>  shipped off to France.

          Okay... so the original owner was in military service, then had to find another home for this critter when he got transferred.  :-)


MP>  Another fun fact is that, although the Milne character is a male
MP>  bear, the real-life Winnipeg was a female.

          Thank you... I didn't realize that.  And although I had found some details like the others you mentioned, I was unable to find them again.  :-Q




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

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