Q: Where did ‘Uncle Sam’ come from?

A: Many believe that Uncle Sam was coined and then symbolized after a New Hampshire native named Samuel Wilson. Wilson was born and lived in Mason, N.H., until his teens. Seeking greener fields, he moved to Troy, N.Y., where he started working in the meat business. Because of his warmth, friendliness and kindliness, the moniker “Uncle Sam” was popularly attributed to him.

During the War of 1812, Wilson associated himself with Elbert Anderson, a government contractor. Together they shipped large quantities of meat and other commodities from Troy to the American forces stationed at various places in the North. These shipments were marked, “E.A.U.S.,” the initials of Anderson and the consignee, the United States Government.

The soldiers from Troy knew that the goods so marked were handled by Samuel Wilson, their Uncle Sam, and jokingly spoke of the meat as “Uncle Sam’s beef.” This expression was quickly adopted by their fellow soldiers, and was used by them to designate all property belonging to the United States Government as “Uncle Sam’s.”

The appellation became widely used by Americans and foreigners as a symbol of the United States. At first the symbol was of a stocky figure with a kindly face, patterned after the likeness of Samuel Wilson, and clad in striped trousers, high hat and flowing coattails, similar to the civilian clothing of 1812. In around 1880, some years after the death of Abraham Lincoln, the national cartoon of Uncle Sam was elongated into a figure of a tall, spare old gentleman, fashioned after the gaunt Lincoln. Today, Uncle Sam is still widely recognized and used as an American symbol.

Q: I’ve heard that there is a theory that crops shouldn’t be planted until the “Three Ice Men” come. I think this refers to three saint’s days in May. Do you have any details on this lore?

A: The Three Ice Men to whom you refer are most likely Saint Mammertius, Saint Pancratius and Saint Gervatius, whose respective feast days occur on May 11, 12, and 13.

They are also sometimes referred to as the “Three Chilly Saints.” An old French saying states “St. Mammertius, St. Pancratius and St. Gervatius do not pass without a frost.”

In Europe’s not-too-distant past, parts of it were rather cold through the middle of May. Hence, the legend of the Three Ice Men (or Three Chilly Saints) was created.

Q: What does the term “chinook” mean in weather forecasts?

A: Chinook means a warm, dry wind that descends on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, causing a rapid rise in temperature. It can also be used to describe, a moist warm southwest wind blowing from the sea on the Oregon and Washington coasts.

If you have a question for the Farmers’ Almanac write to Farmers’ Almanac, P.O. Box 1609, Lewiston, ME 04241 or e-mail: [email protected].