The tools of ignorance

Posted by ESC on September 03, 2004

In Reply to: The tools of ignorance posted by Word Camel on September 03, 2004

: I learned last night that this is baseball slang for the catcher's gear (mask, pads, etc). Anyway, I was so taken with it that I wanted to share.

: I also learned "a can of corn", meaning a pop fly that is so easy to catch the outfield doesn't even need to move from his position to catch it. I'm not sure why it's "a can of *corn*" per se but I like it.

: :)

: Camelita

"Tools of ignorance" is new to me. We discussed "can of corn" at one point:

This expression is used in American baseball to indicate a ball that's hit and easily caught in the outfield. A c"Can't miss" catch is called a can of corn. I've heard it comes from old general stores that would stack canned foods high against the wall behind the cash register. When retrieving a can for a customer, the shopkeeper would softly lob the can so it could be easily caught. Corn is used instead of another food because the outfield is sometimes called the "cornfield". I don't know if I believe this explanation of origin. Any ideas?

Yes to all of the above ... except ... it's a ball hit softly, not high, right at you. Very easy to catch.

• The tools of ignorance Brian from Shawnee 04/September/04