Addicted To The Lure
The rich tapestry of the English lexicon is often woven with threads that trace back to the surnames of individuals who unwittingly lent their names to posterity. Take, for instance, the eponymous origins of commonplace terms such as “heimlich,” “maverick,” and “jacuzzi,” each a testament to the legacy of namesakes who found themselves etched into linguistic history.
One particularly striking example is the term “hooker.” Its evolution into a common noun is entwined with the historical figure of Union General Joseph Hooker.
During the tumultuous days of the Civil War, General Hooker commanded a brigade whose reputation for loose ethics was notable. Among the company kept by Hooker’s soldiers were women who became so closely associated with the unit that they were colloquially dubbed “Hooker’s women.” This moniker, over time, was distilled to “hooker,” a term that resonated beyond its origins and permeated the vernacular, carrying with it an unintended legacy..