Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 29 "The Real McCoy"Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
29 total reviews
Comment from Gypsy Blue Rose
The Real McCoy
by lyenochka
Informative and interesting essay about the real McCoy. I agree with you in many levels. I think Elijah McCoy is the most important McCoy. He had to overcome racism and bigotry and still he succeeded. He didn't complain or lament all the wasted time, well, it wasn't wasted it helped him become an inventor.
I also love Scottish accent ð??? ð??? lol
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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The Real McCoy
by lyenochka
Informative and interesting essay about the real McCoy. I agree with you in many levels. I think Elijah McCoy is the most important McCoy. He had to overcome racism and bigotry and still he succeeded. He didn't complain or lament all the wasted time, well, it wasn't wasted it helped him become an inventor.
I also love Scottish accent ð??? ð??? lol
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I love the Scottish accent, too! But I think even they would say McCoy differently from MacKay. Lol. Thanks for the super review and rating, Gypsy! Hugs and blessings!!
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I think you may be right, Helen, I like the Elijah McCoy version best, and his name really is the real McCoy!! Lol. I loved doing these idioms, I'm glad you've written about this one, I'll see if I can find some more. It could make a really interesting reference book. Well done, my friend, this was a great find. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I think you may be right, Helen, I like the Elijah McCoy version best, and his name really is the real McCoy!! Lol. I loved doing these idioms, I'm glad you've written about this one, I'll see if I can find some more. It could make a really interesting reference book. Well done, my friend, this was a great find. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I am so glad you like uncovering the history of idioms. I look forward to more chapters from you!
Thanks for the great review!
Hugs!!
Comment from Ulla
And I think you might just be right, Helen. It sounds probable, if I may so so. Thanks a lot for taking us through all the explanations, and although I've lived in Scotland, being married to a Scottish man, and my best friends are Scottish, I still believe Elijah McCoy is the namesake,. Hugs, Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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And I think you might just be right, Helen. It sounds probable, if I may so so. Thanks a lot for taking us through all the explanations, and although I've lived in Scotland, being married to a Scottish man, and my best friends are Scottish, I still believe Elijah McCoy is the namesake,. Hugs, Ulla:)))
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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And Scots are famous for being engineers so it's good that McCoy went there.
Thanks so much, Ulla!
Hugs!
Comment from Carol Clark2
Interesting article about a familiar idiom. I am glad to learn of Elijah McCoy's inventions and patents, and I agree with you that it's possible the expression came about because of his useful inventions. Thanks for sharing. Blessings. Carol
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Interesting article about a familiar idiom. I am glad to learn of Elijah McCoy's inventions and patents, and I agree with you that it's possible the expression came about because of his useful inventions. Thanks for sharing. Blessings. Carol
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you so much, Carol!! Hugs and blessings!
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Hugs and blessings to you!
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
You have left the field pretty wide open here, Helen with your multiple possibilities for the origin of 'the real McCoy' (I count five), even if you state that you prefer the last proposition. Personally, I prefer the whiskey producer, but I guess it's all a question of personal taste - and I like the taste of whiskey.
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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You have left the field pretty wide open here, Helen with your multiple possibilities for the origin of 'the real McCoy' (I count five), even if you state that you prefer the last proposition. Personally, I prefer the whiskey producer, but I guess it's all a question of personal taste - and I like the taste of whiskey.
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Lol. I have never tasted whiskey so I wouldn't know. My limited exposures to alcohol are sips of beer and wine.
Thanks for weighing in your vote on the background of this idiom, Kate! Hugs!
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Helen,
You always seem to find some entertaining facts to weave into a story that not only enlightens, but has the ability to delight. I've heard the saying a number of times in my life, but never bothered to search it out. Of course I watched the TV program the Real McCoy's starring Walter Brennan years ago, but never gave it any thought. Well done gal. You must be a teacher. I've learned a lot by reading your posts. Thanks.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Hello Helen,
You always seem to find some entertaining facts to weave into a story that not only enlightens, but has the ability to delight. I've heard the saying a number of times in my life, but never bothered to search it out. Of course I watched the TV program the Real McCoy's starring Walter Brennan years ago, but never gave it any thought. Well done gal. You must be a teacher. I've learned a lot by reading your posts. Thanks.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you so much, Tom! I'm honored by your kind words.
I did teach for a few years but I enjoy learning more and it's a double blessing and someone else enjoys learning what I discovered, too.
Hugs and blessings!
Comment from Anne Johnston
I have heard that expression "The Real McCoy" a lot so it was great to read your article about where it might have originated. Your last story sounds very plausible. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I have heard that expression "The Real McCoy" a lot so it was great to read your article about where it might have originated. Your last story sounds very plausible. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you so much, Anne! I was interested in learning about how his family first moved to Canada, which was a refuge to many people over the centuries!
Hugs and blessings!
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You are welcome.
Comment from aryr
This was wonderful, Helene. I really enjoyed the photo of Elijah McCoy and your words brought back some interesting memories. I had a sister who was married to a McCoy, so we really grew up with that phrase. Sadly, my sister and her real McCoy are both long dead but she had several children and grandchildren. Blessings, hugs n smiles!
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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This was wonderful, Helene. I really enjoyed the photo of Elijah McCoy and your words brought back some interesting memories. I had a sister who was married to a McCoy, so we really grew up with that phrase. Sadly, my sister and her real McCoy are both long dead but she had several children and grandchildren. Blessings, hugs n smiles!
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Thank you so much, Alie! Sorry to hear about your sister dying so young. I know you have blessed her and her family.
Hugs and blessings to you!
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You are so welcome, Helene. Oh, my sister was about my age when she died, she was 16 years older than I. Blessings, hugs n smiles!
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Oh! I remember you taking care of younger siblings. So you had two sets of kids in your family.
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Actually they were only hers, being so much older than I, meant that I was an instant babysitter lol.
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Wow, that was a lot to put on the shoulders of a young aunt!
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Well given that I had so much practice when I had my own children it was a piece of cake, lol.
Comment from nancy_e_davis
I think you are correct when believing it was about this man's invention. I have heard that Idiom many times in my life. We had a beloved Minister name of Sam McCoy. I like to think of him as the real McCoy! He taught me one of my first words, "Hot Dog." One Sunday I shouted it during his sermon.
He was the one I chose to perform my wedding ceremony. Yes sir! I wanted the real McCoy to do that for me. My beloved minister of the Gospel. Thanks for sharing, Helen. Nancy:)
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I think you are correct when believing it was about this man's invention. I have heard that Idiom many times in my life. We had a beloved Minister name of Sam McCoy. I like to think of him as the real McCoy! He taught me one of my first words, "Hot Dog." One Sunday I shouted it during his sermon.
He was the one I chose to perform my wedding ceremony. Yes sir! I wanted the real McCoy to do that for me. My beloved minister of the Gospel. Thanks for sharing, Helen. Nancy:)
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Aww. I loved learning about your Pastor McCoy! He sounds like a wonderful man. Thanks for sharing that and for the review, Nancy! Hugs and blessings!
Comment from Bill Schott
Years ago, listening to Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story", he told about McCoy's invention of a better gas mask. McCoy apparently told people he was hesitant to advertise being he was Native American, but it didn't seem to be a problem. His better gas mask, used in coal mining, was preferred and a slogan to accept only "The Real McCoy" was popularized. It wasn't until much later that it was revealed he was African American, which might have hindered sales back at the turn of the last century.
Now, Paul Harvey could have been full of it.
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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Years ago, listening to Paul Harvey's "The Rest of the Story", he told about McCoy's invention of a better gas mask. McCoy apparently told people he was hesitant to advertise being he was Native American, but it didn't seem to be a problem. His better gas mask, used in coal mining, was preferred and a slogan to accept only "The Real McCoy" was popularized. It wasn't until much later that it was revealed he was African American, which might have hindered sales back at the turn of the last century.
Now, Paul Harvey could have been full of it.
Comment Written 03-May-2022
reply by the author on 03-May-2022
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I liked Paul Harvey's stories. So many stories are so interesting and I guess some African Americans did say they were Native American just to be treated a little better. Anyway, who knows what Paul Harvey would say these days if he had the internet to weigh all the different and various possible histories!
Thanks so much, Bill! Hugs and blessings!