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The most common theory links the term to Union Gen. Joseph Hooker. During the Civil War, General Hooker was known for maintaining a relatively permissive atmosphere in his camps, which reportedly attracted numerous prostitutes to the area where his troops were stationed in Washington D.C. The area became known as �����Ƶ�Hooker�����Ƶ�s Division�����Ƶ� or �����Ƶ�Hooker�����Ƶ�s reserves,�����Ƶ� and eventually, the women themselves came to be called �����Ƶ�hookers.�����Ƶ�

However, some linguistic evidence suggests the term may have been in use before General Hooker�����Ƶ�s time. There are records of the word being used in connection with prostitution dating back to at least the 1840s, before Hooker�����Ƶ�s rise to prominence during the Civil War. This earlier usage suggests the term might have originated from the idea that prostitutes would �����Ƶ�hook�����Ƶ� or entice clients.

SPONGING: Speaking of hookers, you know that the hookers in the sponge industry inadvertently spawned what has become the Florida Keys�����Ƶ� very own sweet claim to fame �����Ƶ� key lime pie?

Hookers, in this case, were the men manipulating 30-, 40- and 50-foot poles as they scooped up sponges growing on the ocean floor. They did not work alone and were accompanied on their boats by partners who peered beneath the surface through glass-bottom barrels who worked to direct the aim of their pronged poles.

Out on their boats for days at a time, hookers would have cans of sweetened condensed milk for their coffee. Before going out to hook sponges, they would mix fresh lime juice, egg and stale Cuban bread in the can. When they returned to the boat, they had a sweet treat waiting for them. Eventually, the combination of ingredients made it to Key West kitchens, and key lime pie was birthed.

ATTENDING OWN FUNERAL: In 1915 a woman arrived late at her sister�����Ƶ�s funeral. When she arrived, she demanded that her sister�����Ƶ�s coffin be raised so she could see her one last time. Upon opening the coffin, her sister, Essie Dunbar, sat up and smiled at her. Essie went on to live another 47 years.

MY ODD STORY: In August 1972, I took off from San Francisco to fly back to the Tri-State. The pilot immediately discovered that our plane had a strap hanging out the rear door. For safety reasons, the pilot circled for 20 minutes and dumped an entire load of jet fuel on top of the Golden Gate City (don�����Ƶ�t tell California). We landed safely, pulled the strap inside, refueled and fled before the �����Ƶ�green police�����Ƶ� could catch us. Murica.

DOCTOR HUMOR: Surgeon: Relax, David. It�����Ƶ�s just a small surgery. Don�����Ƶ�t panic.

Patient on operating table: My name is not David.

Surgeon: I know. I�����Ƶ�m David.

ODD ANIMAL DEFINED: A possum is a flat animal that lives in the middle of the road.