Re: The Meaning of the word "Two (or to) at the end of the Pledge
Jim Peterson (kupete@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.EDU)
Wed, 31 Mar 1999 13:51:09 -0600
Phillip wrote:
>>I am an Assistant Scoutmaster for a troop in Houston, Texas.
>>I am trying to find out the meaning of "Two" after the Pledge of Allegiance.
>>Is this just a tradition to let everyone know when to drop their salute or
>is there a significance to the word?
And my esteemed HOA'er Ed Henderson replied:
>Dear Phillip,
>
>Wow, you got me on that one. I have been saying it for 25 years and I am
>not sure myself. I bet it has a military connection.
>
>I will get you an answer however, by way of this reply I am posting your
>question to Scouts-L. Where I suspect I will get a good response. Someone
>there is bound to know and then I can give you a definitive answer!
>
Dear Ed, Phillip and Scoutellers:
Actually, the evolution of the word "two" is not steeped in military lingo
at all, but rather in the commands given by a ballet master instructor...in
otherwords, it is a dance term.
The commands given to dancers during their periods of rigorous instruction
in the art of ballet have been used by scouts and scouters on several
occasions but the command "two", or actually, the command is "tu" is one
that seems to have stuck with scouts to this day.
The command "tu!" is a command to let the arms fall from over the head in
what is called "fifth position" down to the sides of the formal ballet
skirt called a "tutu". Hence, when the command "TU!" is called, scouts let
their hands fall to the waist. (see below)
HAPPY APRIL'S FOOL DAY!.......JUST A LITTLE EARLY. (sorry, couldn't
resist! <VBG!>)
BLUE SKIES!, Any day above ground is a good day!
Jim Peterson
BS RT Comm, Pelathe Dist
Heart of America Council Eagle Class of 1963
ASM, T-55, Lawrence, Kansas Brotherhood, Tamegonit Lodge
email: kupete@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu Mic-O-Say: HW "Shieldmaker"
