Academic question

[Ray1936]

I've always been curious.......the graduate is wearing a mortarboard on his head, but what do you call that thing that the Grand Fezzwick [[or whatever) on the left has on his head????

[Zacha341]

Ph.D and related level and above headgear I am certain. But I'm not recalling the specific name.

[gazhekwe]

It's a tam.

[Jimaz]

Good question. I've heard that referred to as a "tam" as in "Tam O'Shanter."

Found this: Origins of Academic Regalia.

But the big question is why on earth would anyone want to know? LOL!

[Ray1936]

But the big question is why on earth would anyone want to know? LOL!

Well, my wife asked me when viewing the photo. I didn't know. I HATE it when she asks me a question I don't know the answer to. So I had to find out. LOL is right!

[Jimaz]

Ha! Funny how that search careened me toward Clowns of the World where I learned that Uncle Sam actually started as a clown!

[old guy]

I've also read that Uncle Sam was actually associated with Samuel Wilson, a meat packer. I looked it up again and found in wikipedia and other sources, " Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied rations for the soldiers. There was a requirement at the time for contractors to stamp onto the food they were sending, their name and where the rations came from. Wilson's packages were labeled “E.A – US.” When someone asked what that stood for, a coworker joked and said “Elbert Anderson [[the contractor) and Uncle Sam,” referring to Sam Wilson, though it actually stood for United States. True or not, and a bit off topic, not sure if this is true.