Word of the Week: December 4, 2000
Hamming It Up

Ham is originally from the Old English hamm, which is akin to words for shin, thigh, or leg in several European languages.

So what do the flamboyant but not terribly talented actors we call "hams" have to do with ham? Well, the song "The Ham Fat Man," which was often sung in minstrel shows, gave rise to a slang term hamfatter, which is still used to refer to such "hammy" performers or their performances. The term graduated from slang to normal English in the abbreviated form ham. Clearly, words to popular songs can influence the language. Makes you want to hear the lyrics of that old minstrel song, doesn't it?

Words of the Week are written by Dr. Jacques A. Bailly.