It's time again for a little fun of the historical flavor. I loved this letter to the editor in yesterday's Daily Journal:
Although I now reside in San Mateo (past forty 40 years) I grew up in Burlingame starting in 1950. What a fabulous city to grow up in and enjoy the city in the 50s and 60s while attending Roosevelt Grammar School, Burlingame Intermediate School and Burlingame High School.
I’ve noticed the Daily Journal abbreviates Burlingame as BGAME. I contacted some old chums and they agree the abbreviation has always been BLGM (pronounced Bilgum). Hopefully your staff can make this correction and refer to this beautiful city as it should be. Thanks.
Paul Stuppi
San Mateo
I would note we just lost our greatest Burlingame historian, Martha May, last week so the absolute best person to ask can no longer be asked. You can find Martha's self-penned, dry-as-she-liked-it obituary here. Martha was a stickler for accuracy, an avid archivist and a steady hand at the Historical Society. She will be missed. At the next meeting perhaps we can solicit all of the nicknames for our little burg.
I recall Herb Caen referring to us as B'lingame and suggesting it be pronounced Blingum. I'll bet there is a Caen clipping or two in the archives to correct my memory! Thanks Paul for a provocative look at our nickname--gotta tell you I still prefer B'game! Just don't call it Boringame.
If you're gonna live in B-Game, better bring your A-Game! Ya know what I mean!??
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | April 28, 2020 at 07:44 PM
Amen, brother. Just don't bring your A-game to that petri dish they are building on Carolan. Then you will be a Hep-C cat. Ya know what I mean??
Posted by: The Hep Cat | April 28, 2020 at 09:44 PM
Not much gets past Bruce Dickinson who is no stranger to wit & wisdom, but no, have no idea what you mean.
Posted by: Bruce Dickinson | April 29, 2020 at 06:15 PM
The Hep Cat can only lead a horse to water. He can't make him think.
Posted by: The Hep Cat | May 03, 2020 at 07:03 PM
Sign of springtime: The leaf bowers are returning to nature; earth is healing.
Posted by: Peter Garrison | May 04, 2020 at 11:37 AM
Russ has done a marvelous job of remembering Martha May in this guest perspective:
https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/guest_perspectives/the-legacy-you-leave/article_ac209a62-8f33-11ea-a37a-232ae636ed02.html#utm_source=smdailyjournal.com&utm_campaign=%2Fnewsletters%2Fheadlines%2F%3F-dc%3D1588773610&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline
Posted by: Joe | May 06, 2020 at 04:36 PM
Fantastic Russ. Well done!
Posted by: Barking Dog | May 06, 2020 at 10:23 PM
One large company used to use two letters to designate a city. San Mateo was SM, Foster City was FC, Belmont was RN. Guess what Burlingame was?
Posted by: Paloma Ave | June 08, 2022 at 10:57 AM