🏈 Check this picture out...from a time capsule 100 years ago opened at the Capstone.

[TerryP]

 

[TerryP]

Historians trying to decipher meaning of 1907 cartoon poking fun at Auburn University: The cartoon (shown on the right) was among newspapers, letters and other items in a time capsule unearthed at the University of Alabama's Smith Hall, 100 years after the building was dedicated, according to The Tuscaloosa News. Historians are looking into the meaning of the "23" on the signs held by the Auburn players, but many agree it seems to be an insult used often in the early 1900s.

 

[cartag]

23 Skidoo? Not that it helps.

 

[cartag]

Hey, given the way Auburn seemed to rebuff Alabama's offer to play during the time period, maybe I'm not too far off.

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/393450.html

What else is in the time capsule?

 

[bama29fan]

i think you got it!!!! good guess

 

[c5vetman]

1906 & 1907 were the last two years we played them before that 40 year period, so you probably are right

 

[BamaCore]

I think Tidesports did an article where they came up with a bunch of possible meanings for the 23 as well. Anyways, I thought they were known as Alabama Polytechnic back then. Was Auburn always kind of a name they were known by?

 

[cartag]

Auburn was always the name of their town. I can imagine a reference in print or on radio to the "Tuscaloosa team" or some such thing as that.

 

[TheChief]

In the early 1900's "23" was slang for run away, clear out, or get away. Clearly, that is the reference to Auburn not playing Alabama. I believe 23 was the limit to the number of horses in a race, and that was 23's origin. 23 skidoo is derived from the expression but most historians agree 23 skidoo became popular in the '20's.

 

[CrimsonPirate]

Auburn has always been Auburn, even when the official name was Alabama Polytechnic Institute. The name was officially changed to Auburn University in 1960. I was a mere lad of 17 at the time. They were also Agricultural and Mechanical College of Alabama at one time. Dang Aggies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auburn_University