"becoming boats" - WTH does this mean?

[Lamia]

@Irishman

And what does “The Crying of Lot 49” mean?

The full significance of the title doesn’t become apparent until the very end of the novel, but “Lot 49” isn’t a piece of land or an allusion to the Biblical figure but rather a lot of goods at an auction. A lot is “cried” when the auctioneer announces it and begin taking bids.

[Irishman]

@MacCat

I found this by entering Devil In The White City in the search boxes…

1. John Hancock building - completed in 1970.

2. Modern Skyscrapers (1950s-Present)

3. Trump International Hotel and Tower

4. Willis Tower and 311 S. Wacker Drive - formerly the Sears Tower.

I don’t see how any of those are related to the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. Or the 1890s in general. Or H.H. Holmes and his hotel of death.

When I entered White City in the search box, I got an article from a journal mentioning the book and tour, but no link to the actual tour.

[madmonk28]

If you search the word devil on the mainsite you find it (it’s the only hit). From the site:

Devil in the White City Sun Mar 03, 2013 To Sun Mar 23, 2014
This tour explores the compelling true story told by Erik Larson in his best selling book, “The Devil in the White City,” about two simultaneous events in Chicago history: the World’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 and the emergence of serial murderer Dr. Henry H. Holmes.
PRICE: Adults- $55, Members- $47
DURATION: 3.25 hours
MEET: CAF Shop and Tour Center, 224 S. Michigan Avenue

[MacCat]

@Irishman

When I entered White City in the search box, I got an article from a journal mentioning the book and tour, but no link to the actual tour.

There’s something strange going on because when I clicked on the link in your response I get the same things you listed. When I just clicked again on the link in my post that you quoted, I go to the page showing the Devil In The White City tour.

[setforward]

@Irishman

I’m reading The Devil in the White City, and came across a phrase I cannot interpret.

Author Erik Larson is describing the vision of landscape architect OImstead for how to lay out the Chicago grounds for the 1893 World’s Fair, and he says the following:

Emphasis in original, paragraphing by space instead of the textual indentation because of software features.

Google is no help. It does pull up the book. See page 116.

What the hell does “becoming boats” mean? Is that a goofy way of saying something like “up and coming boats” or “cutting edge boats”?

I R confoos-ed.

Reading on, I summised by context the term to refer to a concept of an electric or motorised boat - given the era was much around the onset of electricity - in preference to a choppy sort of rowing boat. Conceptually something smoother and more elegant. Loved that there were several new terms in the book I have now learned.

[Just_Asking_Questions]

The becoming boats are on the left side of the channel, and the begoing boats are on the right side.

[74westy]

@Just_Asking_Questions

The becoming boats are on the left side of the channel, and the begoing boats are on the right side.

Begone!

[QuickSilver]

@just asking questions

the becoming boats are on the left side of the channel, and the begoing boats are on the right side.

lmao.

[digs]

I’m becoming less *becoming.

Speaking of tours, the boat tours (hosted by Chicago Architecture Center docents) are wonderful.

[QuickSilver]

@digs

I’m becoming less *becoming.

Speaking of tours, the boat tours (hosted by Chicago Architecture Center docents) are wonderful.

My wife and I just did that exact tour in April. What a fantastic way to see Chicago architecture. Really something special.

[RoseGoldWidow]

Oh my gosh! I’m reading the same book and came searching for answers for the same reason! Lol thank you for asking! And now it’s like ohhh man duh that makes sense. But I totally thought it was a special kind of boat like a canoe or a gondola or something lol

[Irishman]

Nice to know In not the only clueless one! Welcome to the board.

[Yllaria]

@Amateur_Barbarian

Wow. This is a staple on post-1900 Confederate and neo-Confederate memorials,

And part of a good line in The Addams Family movie.

Also, OP, may I say that’s a fetching bonnet?