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New to Python: Features

Peter L Hansen peter at engcorp.com
Wed Oct 6 21:44:17 EDT 2004 
Jeff Shannon wrote:
> Daniel Ellison wrote:
>> "Oh, the humanity!" is a direct quote from the radio host covering the 
>> arrival (and subsequent demise) of the Hindenburg at New Jersey's 
>> Lakehurst Naval Air Station in 1937.  

> ... At least now I know where it came from, and that it's not 
> (necessarily) just an ignorantly-parroted misspeaking.  (Though I do 
> still find myself wondering how many users of the phrase realize that it 
> *is* a misspeaking, nevermind how understandable given the 
> circumstances...)

Actually, I don't believe it was a mis-speaking, though I've heard
that that broadcaster was later chastised for what was considered
his unprofessional breakdown at the time.  "Humanity" has several
meanings, the second of which (here looking at Webster's via dict.org)
refers to "mankind collectively".  Said radio host was actually
moved to cry out at the loss of life, the humanity, that he was
witnessing.  Or so I've always assumed...

-Peter
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