elmer

n. male first name

Elmer may be a given name, surname, or place name.Given name: Derived initially as a surname from the Old English aethel (noble) and maer (famous). It was first adopted as a given name in the 19th Century, most popularly in the United States. Elmer, the person who teaches and nurtures the neophyte ham radio operator. A mentor for Amateur Radio Operators. Almost all hams have had at least one Elmer in their Amateur Radio life. Many have had the privilege of being an Elmer to a new ham.The term "Elmer"--meaning someone who provides personal guidance and assistance to would-be hams--first appeared in QST in a March 1971 "How's DX" column by Rod Newkirk, W9BRD (now also VA3ZBB). Newkirk called them "the unsung fathers of Amateur Radio." While he probably was not trying to coin a term at the time, here's how Newkirk introduced "Elmer" in his column and, as it turned out, to the rest of the Amateur Radio world: "Too frequently one hears a sad story in this little nutshell: 'Oh, I almost got a ticket, too, but Elmer, W9XYZ, moved away and I kind of lost interest.'"
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n. Elmer, male first name

merle