By Isle of Wight Observer
A letter published in the Isle of Wight Observer of 2nd September 1922, details the wearisome trials of a hirsute man as the game of Beaver swept the nation. If you spotted a man with a beard and were the first to shout “Beaver” you received points, the scoring system being similar to tennis. A man with a red beard was “King Beaver”.
The satirical magazine, Punch, ascribed the origins of the game to Oxford University undergraduates.
Rara Avis, (Latin for rare bird), means someone or something that is unusual or rarely seen; a phenomenon.
THE EXPERIENCES OF A “BEAVER”
To the Editor of the I.W. Observer.
Sir, Being daily, I might almost say hourly, the victim of the highly intellectual game of ‘Beaver’, at present in vogue amongst the very young, perhaps a few of my experiences during the last week may amuse that section of your readers. When cycling on the South side of the Island a whole charabanc full of youth of both sexes stood up as I passed, cheered, and shouted “Beaver” at the top of their voices.
On another occasion, I passed two young girls and overheard one of them say Grandfather Beaver and the other King Beaver. I do not quite know what constitutes either of these. A few days ago I was seated next to some young people, when one of them in a low tone of voice (I may add that although a Beaver, I have very acute hearing and excellent sight) said “Beaver”. I was noticed to smile, almost audibly, and I then overheard the remark “He is laughing” followed by “That is game and set,” so I conclude a smiling Beaver is a somewhat rara avis.
I was noticed in a Tennis Court, and on some people wishing to play in the adjoining court, one of them said to the other “Do you mind, there is a Beaver in the next court?”
I happen to be a Beaver who can appreciate humour in various forms but there are many of my species, who, I am told, suffer a good deal from the constant attention bestowed upon them by human beings of both sexes and I am therefore not surprised to learn that the place where this game, the wonderful product of the brain of modern youth, originated, suffers it no longer.
Yours,
JUST A BEAVER
