Diedrich Knickerbocker

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Felix O. C. Darley

Diedrich Knickerbocker is an American literary character who originated from

NBA
professional basketball team.

History

In 1809 Washington Irving wrote his first novel, A History of New-York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty, by Diedrich Knickerbocker. It was a satire of the politics of the day and history books. To promote the book he started a hoax by contacting various newspapers in New York City that "well-known Dutch historian Diedrich Knickerbocker had disappeared from his hotel". Irving informed people that if Mr. Knickerbocker remained absent he would publish a manuscript that the man had left behind. Many people at the time believed the story and when Irving finally revealed it was all made up he gained enough local fame to help his book become an instant success, practically launching his literary career.[2]

One of Irving's friends was actually named Knickerbocker:

upstate Knickerbocker clan, which descended from a single immigrant ancestor, Harmen Jansen van Wijhe Knickerbocker. Jansen van Wijhe invented the name upon arriving in New Amsterdam
and signed a document with a variant of it in 1682.

In popular culture

Father Knickerbocker punches out the Tammany Tiger, Puck 1901.

In the 19th century a literary group was named after the character: Knickerbocker Group, who also had their own magazine, The Knickerbocker (1833–1865).[3] In the first and second issue Knickerbocker gave a supposed interview.[4][5]

The name "knickerbocker" has become a popular nickname for people who reside in Manhattan.[6] It also inspired the name of a type of baggy-kneed trousers for boys: knickerbockers. The New York basketball team New York Knickerbockers (more commonly known as the Knicks) also derived their name from this character.[7] It also inspired a beer brand by Jacob Ruppert, the first sponsors of the TV show Tonight!.[8]

Igor Cassini, a gossip columnist, used the name "Cholly Knickerbocker" as his pseudonym.

"Father Knickerbocker" served the role of

World Trade Week Committee.[9]

The NBA's renowned New York Knicks franchise is fully known as the "New York Knickerbockers". From their debut in 1946 through the 1963-64 season, the Knicks were represented by a logo that came to be known as "Father Knickerbocker". The logo was later used as an identity for the Knicks' developmental team in Westchester.Father Knickerbocker was also used on the Con Edison electric company's logo until 1968.[10]

Sources

  1. ^ "Knickerbocker". Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. ISBN 978-1-55970-836-4
  3. The University of North Carolina Press
    , 1967: 104.
  4. ^ Knickerbocker, Howard. "Knickerbocker History (Some Thoughts On The Origins Of The Name)". Knickerbocker Genealogy. Archived from the original on 4 December 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2012.
  5. ASIN B002YD7K36
    .
  6. ^ "Knickerbocker". Oxford English Dictionary.
  7. ^ knickerbocker. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. retrieved 2008-1-3
  8. ^ "Tonight!" Knickerbocker Beer Show, 1953.
  9. ^ Father Knick's Trip. Life. 1949-06-13. p. 142.
  10. ^ Dougherty, Philip H. (15 January 1968). "Advertising: Con Edison Sacks Father Knick". The New York Times.

External links

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