Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NEVER LET it be said that this column does not work hard on your behalf - hours on the sofa with the new 24-volume American National Biography, which passes the first test: it includes that marvellous singer Mabel Mercer, admired by Sinatra. The quintessence of Manhattan sophistication, she was in fact born in Burton, in 1900, product of a chance meeting between an English-Welsh music-hall singer and a touring black acrobat.
She was teased at school for being, among other things, gammy. It is a sense not in the OED, for she was in fact fit - but left-handed, then deemed almost as bad as having a wonky ankle. The word began - as game - in the north Midlands by the 18th century, but a satisfactory etymology has not emerged.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments