Thumper

One of the joys of reading is coming across words or phrases that I never heard of. Being of a certain age, this usually means I head for one of the two hard copy dictionaries I keep handy: The Shorter OED, Volumes 1 and 2, and a Webster's II New College Dictionary. And sometimes I'm just lazy at first and look for a definition from Google. After this, I then usually still head for one of the dictionaries to see their take on the word.

When I came across the hyphenated word "tub-thumber" in an obituary for Joan Dye Gussow, Who Planted the Seed on Eating Locally, who just passed away at 96, I first tried to divine the meaning from the context. "Ms. Gussow, an indefatigable gardener and a tub-thumper for community gardens..."

I first thought 'tub-thumper" might be a style of gardening, like growing plants out of discarded bathtubs. If you're stuck with a discarded bathtub that has proved hard to remove from the yard (how it got there is certainly another story), perhaps filling it with soil and planting some posies will create a focal point for the garden. Perhaps.

I fairly quickly dismissed this thought and headed for Google. Getting to the appropriate volume of the OED is a bit of a chore since I have to get up and reach for it, as well as move the framed picture of the grandson that sits on top of it.

Google, Tub-Thumper:

Taken from the OED, so I don't have to get up..."A speaker or preacher who for emphasis thumps the pulpit; a violent or declamatory preacher or orator; a ranter."

Where the tub comes it, I don't know, but obviously someone who feels and speaks passionately about something, which is what comes through in the obituary for Ms. Gussow.

Now, going to the OED: "Orig., a preacher who thumps the pulpit for emphasis. Now usu. (gen), a violent or declamatory preacher or orator, ranter. M17" 

Translation: Originally...Now usually, generally...came into use in the mid 17th century.

No tub in sight, until ChatGPT is consulted.

The term "tub-thumper" refers to someone who passionately advocates for something, often in a public or noisy manner. It originates from the practice of political or religious speakers in the past standing on a tub or barrel (sometimes called a "soapbox") and using it as a platform to gain attention and give speeches.

The image is now complete.

Tangentially to all this, I came across the image of Thumper, one of the animals in the Disney movie Bambi that created an entire generation of people who abhor deer hunting.

I remember Thumper, the cute rabbit, but never thought about (or forgot) how he got the name Thumper.

Turns out Thumper got the moniker because he was always tapping, or thumping his left rear leg. He must have had a nervous tic, or was getting set to run.

There is always an education in reading obituaries.

http://www.onofframp.blogspot.com