Aside from the absurdity of such a claim (why the hell would a yearbook be named after slang for costumes), there is ample history as to the origin of "Corks and Curls" " UVa student Ernest M. Stires suggested the title Corks & Curls, and a contest was held for the best rationalization of the name. Leander Fogg (of the Medical Class) won. Fogg explained that cork described an unprepared student who was called upon in class but who remained silent, like a corked-up bottle. In contrast, curl referred to a student who performed well in class and who, when patted on his head by his professor, "curleth his tail for delight thereat." One might cork an examination but put a curl on a quiz."(from 1888).

I don't know much about minstrel shows, but I am hardly disturbed that a minstrel show was held to raise money for the UVa chapel, and that is "where hundreds of couples continue to marry each year." And I wasn't surprised (or offended) that the author found pictures in the UVa library of "Confederate veteran parades between 1900 and 1910". I was surprised to learn that "the United Daughters of the Confederacy in Virginia used blackface in raids to confuse victims".


[Post edited by Eta at 02/06/2019 1:47PM]