by George Christensen.
Chicago Tribune June 15, 1994
George Christensen is a messenger for Cannonball Inc.
Bicycle messengers are no different from any profession or tribe inhaving a lingo of their own, one that evolved to make radio transmissionssnappier and to break the tedium of reciting numbers and addresses allday.
It's quicker and easier to say "Clean at the Apple" than "I'vemade all my deliveries and I'm at 35 W.. Wacker." The Apple, the LeoBurnett building, earned its nickname from the basket of apples on eachreceptionist's desk of the advertising company. Messengers are always happyto make a delivery or pickup at the Apple as they, like any visitor, arewelcome to help themselves to one.
It used to be the same with the Gum House-the Wrigley Building at 410N. Michigan Ave. Every reception desk for the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. is linedwith packs of the dozen or so brands of gum they manufacture and are alsofree for the taking. Unfortunately, messengers have recently been divertedto the gum company's receiving room off Lower Wacker Drive to make theirdeliveries and no gum is offered there. Some messengers have since takento calling it the No Gum House.
Some of the other nicknames for buildings or locations are:
The Oil Can or the Can: The Amoco Building at 200 E. Randolph St.
The Rock: The Prudential Building of the insurance company known forthe Rock of Gibraltar at 130 E. Randolph St..
The Hill: The only marginally significant climb in the city up LakeStreet from Michigan Avenue past the Rock to the Can. One says, "I`mon the Hill," whenever he's east of the Can.
The Peacock: The NBC Building at 454 N. Columbus Drive.
Time of Your Life: The Time-Life Building at 303 E. Ohio St.
The Fat Lady: Oprah Winfrey's studio at 110 N. Carpenter St.
The M&M: The Merchandise Mart.
The Picasso: The Daley Center at 60 W. Washington St.
The Governor's Playhouse or the Playhouse: The James R. Thompson Centerat 100 W. Randolph St.
The House of Confusion: City Hall at 121 N. LaSalle St.
The World's Tallest: The Sears Tower at 233 S. Wacker Drive.
The B.O.T.: The Board of Trade at 141 W. Jackson Blvd.
The House or the T: The terminal, the messenger company's base of operations.
Some buildings are known by their major tenant. Arty's Place is 33 W.Monroe St., thanks to Arthur Andersen. Kemper's Dock is 77 W. Wacker Drive.
A few other miscellaneous terms and expressions are:
Food Stamp Run: A long ride at a reduced rate.
Sucker Pole: "No Parking" or similar such signs that aren'tbolted down. If one locks his bike to such a pole, someone can lift thepole from its foundation and make off with the bike.
A Kite: An oversized envelope 2 by 3 feet or larger that can catch thewind as one is riding.
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