# Help me compile a Teddy Roosevelt costume **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 20, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777 "2012-06-20T19:29:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/21 "2012-06-21T03:53:34Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > There must be an interesting story behind this. Let’s try this again. My grandfather once played TR, and my mother still has his glasses. That’s the whole story, so actually the first version was more interesting. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 10:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/22 "2012-06-21T10:14:23Z")
Say “Deee-lighted” when meeting anyone and pump their hands vigorously. In fact, do _everything_, even sitting still in a chair, vigorously. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/23 "2012-06-21T12:28:57Z")
If there’s a basement in the house, try to lure people down the stairs. With a shovel. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/24 "2012-06-21T13:29:16Z")
If, at the costume party, you get into a foot race with someone dressed like Lincoln, someone dressed like Jefferson, and someone dressed like Washington, you will not win. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/25 "2012-06-21T13:38:00Z")
Do you have kids? You could dress them up as [young Teddy](http://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37294). He wasn’t a big fan of pants back then, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/26 "2012-06-21T15:08:57Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Do you have kids? You could dress them up as [young Teddy](http://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37294). He wasn’t a big fan of pants back then, obviously. Except I’d add a mustache and pince nez. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/27 "2012-06-21T15:11:01Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > If, at the costume party, you get into a foot race with someone dressed like Lincoln, someone dressed like Jefferson, and someone dressed like Washington, you will not win. Poor Teddy - he tries so hard! “And coming up to first base, Teddy’s actually in the lead! Go Teddy! Wait - no, Teddy! Don’t stop and take pictures with people in the stands!! Oh, Teddy…” I’ve been to just one Nationals game, but that was easily the highlight for me. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/28 "2012-06-21T15:17:50Z")
Also, he’s kind of a trickster. At one race he jumped on a moped but then crashed before the finish line. It’s all so cheesy and weird and it only works because Teddy was such a large than life, but oddly human at the same time, figure. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/29 "2012-06-21T16:23:35Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > Do you have kids? You could dress them up as [young Teddy](http://forums.hipinion.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37294). He wasn’t a big fan of pants back then, obviously. That thread shows pictures of a young FDR, the Roosevelt president who was not Teddy. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/30 "2012-06-21T16:37:46Z")
I’m sure they sell [Brian Fellows](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7FEk37ugiw) costumes. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/31 "2012-06-21T16:39:05Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > That thread shows pictures of a young FDR, the Roosevelt president who was not Teddy. Oh, you and your pesky facts :rolleyes: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/32 "2012-06-21T17:52:57Z")
And you could really have fun with the “big stick” accessory- anything from a shillelagh to a banyan stave. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/33 "2012-06-21T18:00:32Z")
I’m thinking one of those fake clubs that comes with your [standard caveman costume](http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=caveman+costume&hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1280&bih=843&wrapid=tlif134030153851610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=318518344184182403&sa=X&ei=92DjT_SGDqyA2QXWw9TECw&ved=0CLUBEPICMAc). Great suggestions, everyone! So regarding tweed jacket/vest/pants/etc. - what’s my best bet for finding something good? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/34 "2012-06-21T18:25:25Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > Say “Deee-lighted” when meeting anyone and pump their hands vigorously. In fact, do _everything_, even sitting still in a chair, vigorously. Oh, definitely. Even his speeches were at the gallop: [http://www.nytstore.com/assets/images/extralarge/NSAP411\_EXTR.jpg](http://www.nytstore.com/assets/images/extralarge/NSAP411_EXTR.jpg) > **[The Washington Note - Web Magazine 2024](https://thewashingtonote.com)** > > The Washington Note - Web Magazine 2024 [![](https://umvod.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tr-pointing-muckrake.jpg) ](https://umvod.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tr-pointing-muckrake.jpg) [http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image\_982w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/01/19/National-Politics/Images/kdelection.jpg](http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_982w/2010-2019/WashingtonPost/2012/01/19/National-Politics/Images/kdelection.jpg) [![](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uhlzdjPGxrs/0.jpg) ](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uhlzdjPGxrs/0.jpg) As to the big stick: [![](https://thefrontblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/743px-tr-bigstick-cartoon.jpg) ](https://thefrontblog.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/743px-tr-bigstick-cartoon.jpg) [![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0tMf_rUqJQ/Tud_UQaZiuI/AAAAAAAAOag/qgFH5GYP-F4/s1600/roosevelt%2Bcartoon.jpg) ](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u0tMf_rUqJQ/Tud_UQaZiuI/AAAAAAAAOag/qgFH5GYP-F4/s1600/roosevelt%2Bcartoon.jpg) Anyone interested in T.R. really should read the Edmund Morris trilogy of bios, which cover him from birth to death: _The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Rex_ and _Colonel Roosevelt_. Very, very good stuff, and they really capture his energy, high spirits, love of life, diverse interests, patriotism and keen political sense. Highly recommended. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/35 "2012-06-21T18:36:46Z")
Here is TR making a speech in 1916: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/HYn5FJnvrZk/hqdefault.jpg "President Theodore Roosevelt on Liberty") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYn5FJnvrZk) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/36 "2012-06-25T14:22:51Z")
For all you TR fans: [Teddy Roosevelt Bobblehead - AtlantaCutlery.com](http://www.atlantacutlery.com/p-2698-teddy-roosevelt-bobblehead.aspx) ---
**Author:** ![FeAudrey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7feea3/32.png) [@FeAudrey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FeAudrey)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777/37 "2012-06-25T18:56:20Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > … Anyone interested in T.R. really should read the Edmund Morris **trilogy** of bios, which cover him from birth to death: _The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, Theodore Rex_ and _Colonel Roosevelt_ … “But wait! There’s more!” It’s really a quartet – Morris’ wife, Sylvia Jukes Morris, wrote a biography (also highly acclaimed) of T.R.'s second wife, Edith Kermit Roosevelt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-compile-a-teddy-roosevelt-costume/625777.md?page=1)