posted 11-29-2008 10:38 AM            

terâ‹…raâ‹…pin

/ˈtɛrəpɪn/ [ter-uh-pin]
–noun
1. any of several edible North American turtles of the family Emydidae, inhabiting fresh or brackish waters, esp. the diamondback terrapin: some are threatened or endangered.
2. any of various similar turtles.
Origin:
1605–15; earlier torope (< Virginia Algonquian < Eastern Algonquian *to⋅rəpe⋅w variety of turtle > Munsee Delaware tó⋅lpe⋅w) + -in, of uncert. orig.

soucrce: Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)

terrapin

N.Amer. turtle, 1672, earlier torope (1613), from an Algonquian source (e.g. Abnaki turepe, Delaware tulpe "turtle"). Subsequently extended to allied species in S.Amer., E.Indies, China, N.Africa.
source: Online Etymology Dictionary

Terrapin

Ter"ra*pin\, n. [Probably of American Indian origin.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [Written also terapin, terrapen, terrapene, and turapen.]

Note: The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys acebra) of the Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa), native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter, slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the Atlantic coast of the United States.

Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle.

Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American tortoises of the genus Cinosternon.

Painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted.

Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.

source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

posted 11-29-2008 11:06 AM            

Patent number: D20726
Issue date: May 19, 1891

posted 11-29-2008 11:28 AM            

source: "101 Ways Not To Eat With Your Fingers: The Great Era of American Silverplate"
presented by Bryna Freyer, December 2, 2001 to the Culinary Historians of Washington, D.C.

... The terrapin fork with its almost bowl-like curve allowed the diner to scoop up sauce along with the turtle meat. ...

source: Artful Dining, a piece for everything by Darra Goldstein

..... Although the traditional preparation and consumption of terrapin required prodigious amounts of sherry and other alcoholic accompaniment -- both expensive and illegal, its heyday lasted long enough to claim a coveted position in Maryland history. Souvenir spoons with a terrapin atop the handle were common, a silver terrapin fork was often included in the finest table settings, and a discrete silver dish was used for serving. Fastidious chefs left the paw on the plate to authenticate its origins, as muskrat was sometimes substituted in less reputable establishments. Baltimore’s version was more popular than Philadelphia’s, and a cookbook by Maryland First Lady Helen Avelynne Tawes offered a recipe for terrapin and instructions for dressing live turtles. ....

posted 11-29-2008 04:52 PM            

I'll see if I can get the proof and post it.

posted 11-30-2008 06:33 PM            

----

In the Battle of Baltimore, one of the turning points in the War of 1812, American forces warded off a British sea invasion of the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland. The American defense of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in this battle inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem which would become the national anthem of the United States: "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Battle Monument, located on Calvert Street between Fayette and Lexington Street in Baltimore, Maryland, commemorates the Battle of Baltimore and honors those who died during the month of September 1814 during the War of 1812. The monument lies in the middle of the street and is between the two Baltimore City Circuit Courthouses that are located on the opposite sides of Calvert Street.

The monument, designed by Maximilian Godfrey and built in 1815-25, is 39 feet tall and is unusual in having an Egyptian-inspired cenotaph base which suggests a tomb. The eighteen layers of the marble base represent the eighteen states that made up the United States at the time of the war. A griffin is at each corner of the base. The column, carved as a Roman fasces, is bound with cords listing the names of soldiers who died during the battle, while the names of officers who died are at the top.

The monument is topped by a marble statue by Antonio Capellano of a female figure representing Baltimore that wears a crown of victory and holds in one hand a laurel wreath and in the other a ship's rudder.

The monument is depicted on the seal of the City of Baltimore that was adopted in 1827 and the city's flag adopted in the early 20th century.

source: Wikipedia