jpl (02/27/83)
I have already received about a dozen responses to my original query,
one of which (from houxm!hogpc!hogpd!3123ars) contained the correct
title, authors and publisher, and most of which were in the category
of "Let me know if you find out." The volume seems to justify a
response to the net rather than individual mailings.
The book I was after was
There are Alligators in Our Sewers & Other American Credos
by Paul Dickson and Joseph C. Goulden, published by Delacorte Press.
I found a copy (for $11.95) at a bookstore this afternoon.
I'm rather disappointed in what I have read so far. I had hoped for
some scholarly research disproving the myths and investigating their
origins. I found, instead, a simple cataloging of myths. Some are
simply preposterous -- "the main earthly effect of the space program has
been to change the weather", many beg for an explanation of why they
are classed as "bunk" -- "a written contract is absolutely binding and
one who has signed a contract may be forced to do something which he
now does not wish to do" and what explanations there are leave
something to be desired -- "it is the exception which proves the rule.
(Logic dictates that the exception disproves the rule.)"
[It is my understanding that the original phrase is a corruption of
"The exception proofs the rule," that is, puts it to the test.
This may be yet another myth, but more along the lines of what I
had hoped to see.]
Anyway, thanks to those who offered assistance in locating the book.
John P. Linderman eagle!jpl