Coming down the pike

Posted by Lewis on August 26, 2004

In Reply to: Coming down the pike posted by platypussy on August 25, 2004

: : Please see the following information found at www.fairstl.org/

: :
: : This summer, Fair Saint Louis, America's largest three-day Fourth of July celebration, will commemorate one of St. Louis' and the nation's most famous historical events - the 1904 World's Fair. In tribute, the 2004 Fair Saint Louis will have the theme "Meet Me at the Fair."

: : The World's Fair celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase, which extended the United States to the Pacific Ocean. This year, Fair Saint Louis will honor the centennial of that celebration, which helped define the landscape of the City of St. Louis and many aspects of American culture. Such American culinary icons like the hotdog and waffle cones were first invented at the Fair. The expression Coming down The Pike owes its origin to the Fair.

: : "This year is a special year for St. Louis," Fair Saint Louis Executive Director Rich Meyers said. "At the Fair, we will pay special attention to some of the more historic aspects of the 1904 World's Fair. On top of all the great entertainment we have planned, the food and attractions observing the World's Fair will help ensure that families of all ages will have a wonderful time."

: : 1904 World's Fair Features

: : The Eads Bridge becomes The Pike. Among the most memorable features of the 1904 World's Fair was a walkway known as The Pike. It was the most extravagant entertainment area ever constructed at that time. Visitors were so stunned they would say "there was always something new coming down The Pike." This year, Fair Saint Louis will commemorate The Pike on the Eads Bridge. A fabulous showcase of foods and a number of amusement rides on the Eads Bridge will represent some of the world attractions that were on the 1904 Pike. As the Pike was a major hotspot to watch the fireworks at the 1904 World's Fair, plenty of room on the bridge also will be left for crowds to gather and view the fireworks and air show.

: : Rick Mullen
: : Sales Manager
: : GT Midwest
: : PH. 943-2171
: : Fax 943-4800
: : E-mail rmullen@gtmidwest.com

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: Well, thanks Rick. I've been laboring under the misinterpretation that coming down the pike was a reference to a disembodied head decomposing to the point were it slid down the pike upon which it had rested in front of the castle.

if the head were on a pikestaff, which they often were, usually the top of the staff went into the cranial cavity like a candle in a snuffer. I'm not sure that the point of the pike was used, as the head was detachable and fixed to a new spar when the old was broken or to save carrying such a long pole around from place to place. that is why a 'pike-staff' is 'plain' - it is just a large dowel. anyhow, even if the head of the pike were used, the hole made in the top of the head would not enlarge with putrification - it is bone. unless the head were really rammed down so that it was only held onto the staff by flesh/hair, then decay would not lead to the 'head coming down the pike' - remember all those adventure films with skulls on sticks? none of them had shimmied down the pole.

Grisly logic or what?