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Re: Cookie Folklore
Martin Cohen (mcohen@UCLA.EDU)
Fri, 24 Nov 1995 10:20:47 -0700
>> As I assume many Anthro-Lers have recognized,the Neiman-Marcus
>>cookie story is a prime example of urban folklore. It has been
>>circulating widely on the 'net and in other media for some time.
>
>Canada's self-styled "National Newspaper," the Globe & Mail, just a week or
>two ago printed that letter and was obliged a couple of days later to
>publish several delighted letters to the editor explaining how it was urban
>folklore. I expect there were some red faces in the editorial office...
>
This story far predates the 'net. About five years ago, it was the subject
of a "Dear Abby" or Ann Landers column (don't remember which). It was old
then. Of course, N-M representatives said it was impossible, and that they
had no such recipe. It is truely amazing how long some bits of urban
folklore can stay in circulation! Or how old ones sometimes return to be
told by a whole new generation. No matter where you see it, it was a
friend or relative of the writer/teller and it was a recent event. This
version is unusual since it is the first time I have come across it in the
first person. Perhaps the anonymity of the net makes this possible?
Martin
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