Jennifer--

It's wonderful how some terms remain in our language long after their
context has expired.  They remain useful, but not always
understandable.

Earlier office buildings did not have air conditioning or even
internal devices for circulating outside air.  Transoms were located
above the door and could be opened to allow air to move through the
offices.  They were simply a pane of glass in a frame, hinged at the
bottom to pivot inward, with a handle that went down the side of the
door to allow them to be opened or closed and locked by someone
standing inside the office.  By being above the door, the offices
were still safe from intrusion and the flow of air (when it did
occur) was high enough not to disturb papers on the desks.

When open, it was also possible to toss things through.  Thus
manuscripts, letters, circulars, etc., could end up on the office
floor even when no one was there.  Today it carries the connotation
of unsolicited materials, proposals in our case.  The word is still
in common usage among authors who submit unsolicitied proposals to
publishing houses.

As to other out of date terms, there are still those among us who
refer to our high technology, ice cube producing, refrigerator/
freezers as "ice boxes."

Chuck

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Charles F. Howard Jr., Ph.D.
Executive Director
University of Northern Colorado Research Corporation
Phone: 970-351-0529  FAX: 970-351-6519
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