Get dressed up to strut your stuff

Totally committed to major independence, it’s Monday Mail.

Strut

Our opening today is from Bob Seger’s song “Her Strut.”

Clean up

Today we have this message regarding my new photo over the column:

You own a tie! Oh my. And a sports coat!

RJM

Dear RJM:

Is it “sports coat” or “sport coat”? Let’s Google it: A dictionary site says it’s “sport coat,” defined as “a man's jacket resembling a suit jacket, for informal wear.”

Unless you’re a journalist, maybe, and then that is your formal wear.

I always wondered why it was called a sport coat, as you so rarely see anyone playing sports in one.

In my column photo, that’s not actually a sport coat I’m wearing. It’s a lightweight, machine-washable cotton jacket.

I tried wearing a sport coat to a criminal trial once, and I wound up sitting in a courtroom chair that was missing its wooden arm rest. The exposed metal snagged the sleeve of my sport coat and tore it. And I never wore a sport coat to court again.

The other day I wore a polo shirt to a murder trial when an attorney looked at me and said, “Well, you didn’t have to get dressed up.” And I thought, “Exactly.”

Hoochie coochie

Today’s intro used the word “strut” as we’re asked to remind you that downtown at 9:30 a.m. Saturday folks will join a “Strut The Hooch” comedy parade that according to organizers invites “fun-minded individuals and groups” such as “a clown, a juggler, a horn tooter, snake charmer, miniature car enthusiast, member of a kazoo band or other fun and eccentric organization.”

Wacky people may apply at www.uptowncolumbusga.com. The Strut The Hooch Facebook page has these details:

Participants should assemble 8:30-9 a.m. on the sidewalk at the Springer Opera House, First Avenue and 10th Street, to get a name tag and parade number. Motor units may rendezvous in the Springer parking lot at Second Avenue and 10th Street.

The parade route’s west on 10th Street to Broadway and north to 12th Street, then U-turn to go south on Broadway to disperse at the RiverCenter, where you may feel free to wash your makeup off in the fountain.

Organizer Steve Scott writes:

Hi Tim,

Thanks again for your support in a previous column. If you have the space in your Monday 28th column, could you give a brief mention, something to the effect that this should be a fun, family-friendly event which kids would love and spectators are encouraged to wear silly costumes and big hats. Thanks much.

Dear Steve:

I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do that now, because we’re out of room.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Get dressed up to strut your stuff."