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geodeticman · 08-03-2006, 07:06 AM

catmanraon: That is the most verifiable definition for the time period I have heard.

One other that I recall, unsubstantiated at this time was allegedly per Gord's research when he wrote the song. I recall this vaguely from alt.music.lightfoot around '97 - '99 and when I've a little more time will look it up.

The word purportedly, from a member attending a concert and asking Gord if I recall (which of course does not make it correct) was from drunkards crawling under tavern floors on the ground, across uneven terrain where stones were used to support a (more) level foundation.

Supposedly the gold-seeker would pick up gold coins dropped through relatively wide cracks in the floorboards by drunkenness or fumbly-fingers (that'd be me LOL). No explanation given for the term's origin that I recall, other than the offerred definition from unknown reference material, but per the member that gave it, it was what Gord had found it to mean somewhere.

I find catmanron's better-substantiated definition more reliable now than my memory, but I hope it adds to the thread

geo Steve

ps my dentist calls the silver/alloy fillings "amalgam" so this term alone may be a more general term in metals. I friend of mine is a metallurgical engineer so I will ask if he has anything to add and report back, too.

08-03-2006, 07:06 AM	#7
geodeticman Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Colorado Rockies- Rampart Range Posts: 261	catmanraon: That is the most verifiable definition for the time period I have heard. One other that I recall, unsubstantiated at this time was allegedly per Gord's research when he wrote the song. I recall this vaguely from alt.music.lightfoot around '97 - '99 and when I've a little more time will look it up. The word purportedly, from a member attending a concert and asking Gord if I recall (which of course does not make it correct) was from drunkards crawling under tavern floors on the ground, across uneven terrain where stones were used to support a (more) level foundation. Supposedly the gold-seeker would pick up gold coins dropped through relatively wide cracks in the floorboards by drunkenness or fumbly-fingers (that'd be me LOL). No explanation given for the term's origin that I recall, other than the offerred definition from unknown reference material, but per the member that gave it, it was what Gord had found it to mean somewhere. I find catmanron's better-substantiated definition more reliable now than my memory, but I hope it adds to the thread geo Steve ps my dentist calls the silver/alloy fillings "amalgam" so this term alone may be a more general term in metals. I friend of mine is a metallurgical engineer so I will ask if he has anything to add and report back, too.