It is fitting that today’s date, 02-02-2020, is a palindrome because it is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Palin Drome, the man for whom the word “palindrome” is named. Born Emordnilap Palin Drome in Washerst, Pennsylvania, on February 2, 1820, Palin was the first of six children of Hannah and Emordnilap Drome. He had two brothers, Lerrel and Otto, and three sisters, Mayam, Luul, and Aziza. Pictured at the right: Emordnilap Palin Drome. Born on February 2, 1820, he went by his middle name, Palin. |
Palin Drome, a neighbor and good friend to Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily Dickinson’s third cousin, twice removed – at her request), wrote novels, short stories, screenplays, poetry, essays, and one play. However, he is primarily known for inventing the “palindrome” when he named his cat, “Taco Cat.” Some of his most famous palindromes are “Mom ‘n’ dad,” “a nut for a jar of tuna,” “borrow or rob,” “never odd or even,” and “murder for a jar of red rum.” Pictured at the left: Palin Drome and his beloved pet, Taco Cat. |