The column on Major Tom (as in the David Bowie songs) was pretty spot on. I have to admit I’d never thought about the song having roots in reality. (Although, of course, the reference to 2001, A Space Oddyssey, is inescapable, and certainly the Russian and U.S. accidents and close calls should have provided gist for more than a few song mills.) I have also heard it said that ‘major tom’ was old time slang for heroin.
Thomas “TK” Major
mp3.com/onebluenine
I think you’re referring to this column:
Please always post the link to the column you are referring to.
(I’ve always wanted to do this)
Thanks for the assist Xgemina! I don’t know how I could have overlooked this thread for so long.
Welcome to the SDMB, and thank you for posting your comment.
Please include a link to the appropriate column if it’s on the straight dope web site.
To include a link, it can be as simple as including the web page location in your post (make sure there is a space before and after the text of the URL).
The relevant Staff Report can be found on-line at the link provided by Xgemina.
Since the article is a mailbag answer, not a Straight Dope column, this thread is leaving the «Comments on Cecil’s Columns» forum and going to visit my colleague C K Dexter Haven in the «Comments on Staff Reports or Mailbag Answers» forum.
moderator, «Comments on Cecil’s Columns»