Etienne Cherdlu

[George James Software]

In TPs short story there is a character called Etienne Cherdlu (a fat boy
keen on practical jokes).

Referring to this character in a recent conversation someone noticed that
Etienne Cherdlu was rather similar to ETAOIN SHRDLU.

What is ETAOIN SHRDLU I hear you ask?  Here is the explanation that he gave:

>The Linotype keyboard was arranged approximately in order of English
>letter frequency, E being most common, T next common, and so on.  When an
>operator was aware of a typographical error, the line needed to be filled
>out to allow the slug to be completed.  This was done by running hands
>along the keyboard, so the slug would typically say something like
>"tyopgraphical error etaoin shrdlu..." 
>
>Of course, the kind of Linotype machine I'm talking about haven't been used 
>since the seventies... the ones originally invented by Merganthaler, which
>made a lot of noise and literally cast slugs in hot lead.   

Can anyone confirm the origin of this name?  Does anyone know anything more
about Linotype keyboards?  Did TP every use or encounter one?  What about
the names of other characters in his books?

George James


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George James Software
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