Names
Where Does The Term “Mark Twain” Originate?
To be honest, I thought Mark Twain was just the name that Samuel Clemens used for his books. I had no idea it actually meant somethig else!
“Mark twain” is a riverboat term meaning two fathoms (a depth of 12 feet or 3.6 meters). A hand lead is used for determining the depth of water where there is less than 20 fathoms. The lead consists of a lead weight of 7 – 14 pounds (3 – 6 kg) and a line of hemp or braided cotton, 25 fathoms (150 feet, 46m) in length. The line is marked at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 17 and 20 fathoms. The soundings are taken by a leadsman who calls out the depths while standing on a platform projecting from the side of the ship, called “the chains.” The number of fathoms always forms the last part of the call. When the depth corresponds to any mark on the lead line, it is reported as “By the mark, 7,” for example. If bottom is not reached, the call is “No bottom at 20 fathoms.”
“Mark Twain” was also the pseudonym chosen by American humorist Samuel Clemens, supposedly because of its suggestive meaning, since it was a riverman’s term for water that was just barely safe for navigation. One implication is that “barely safe water” usually made people nervous, or at least uncomfortable.
[Source : The Handy Science Answer Book]
Mark Twain: His Marks
“Mark Twain” was merely one of many pen names that Samuel L. Clemens used in his writing career. His earlier pen names included:
W. Epaminondas Adrastus Perkins – the first pen name Mark Twain is known to have used, signed to “A Family Muss,” a sketch published in his brother’s Hannibal Journal on September 9, 1852
W. Epaminondas Adrastus Blab – first used on September 16, 1852. He occasionally signed pieces “W. E. A. B.”
Rambler – signed to several romantic poems published in his brother’s journal in May 1853. Twain also published letters complaining about the poems and signed them “Grumbler,” carrying out a debate singlehandedly in the paper.
Josh – while prospecting in Nevada in early 1862, Twain sent humorous letters signed with this name to the Virginia City Territorial Enterprise. Twain later took up a staff position at the paper in September, but dropped the pen name.
Thomas Jefferson Snodgrass – used during his last half year as a journeyman printer, Twain signed three humorous letters from St. Louis and Cincinnati that were published in the Keokuk Post.
To the right is one of the rare instances when Twain wrote out all five of his names in full, on a manuscript of one of his speeches.
Letters written to Clara while she was in Europe and Twain was in Bermuda were signed “Marcus.”
From a letter, 1874, where he notes that “Mark Twain” is his alias.
From a letter written to his family, 1867, to whom he is simply known as “Sam.”
A note written later in Twain’s life (1901-1903), when he was probably better known by his pen name than his birth name, thus signed with his pen name first.
