Letter: How Chico came home to roost
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.Sir: In response to Brian Mayes' request (letter, 2 October) for firm evidence regarding the naming of 'Chico' Marx, Groucho Marx (in The Marx Bros Scrapbook) says:
Our stage names were given to us by a monologist named Art Fisher. He was in the habit of giving people nicknames and they stuck. He named Leonard Chico because girls were called chicks in those days and Chico loved girls. Arthur became Harpo for obvious reasons, Gummo got his name because he was fond of gum sole shoes, and he named me because I was stern and rather serious. Herbert, who became Zeppo, was too young at that time and wasn't in the act. He got his name later on. . . . I think Fisher got the names from a cartoon that was appearing in the papers. The Monk Family or something like that.
Yours faithfully,
PETER WOREK
London, NW6
2 October
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments