Shoo-fly and other terms meanings

[NW Mailing List]

Here is one I have long inquired about. We know the meaning of "trick"
for shift on the railroad, but where and when did it come about? I
have asked this one around elsewhere previously without anything other
than speculation. Some suggestions have been from the red-light
districts and the purchase of favors for a specific period of time
from ladies but other than speculation, nothing firm has been answered
elsewhere. To start with when is the first written reference seen for
the term with regards to the railroad landscape?

Shoo-fly is another which has prompted this question. We know to what
it refers but when and how did it originate? Inquiring minds want to
know for both and I am sure we can come up with others as well.

Thanks.

Bob Cohen



> Can some of the old-timers explain to us newbies why it is called a "shoo-fly"?

> I would like to hear the explanation. Many thanks. Rick Huddle

> Delaware



> I always understood a "shoo-fly" to be a temporary track laid around a wreck site

> or a wash out. By its nature, it had undesirable curves compared to the permanent right of way, and the expectation was that it would eventually disappear when the permanent right of way was restored. Why the term "shoo-fly" I never asked. I just knew this was what the term referred to. Jim Nichols