Zoo History: The OK Thing To Do

Prior to the late 1800's, you couldn't go to the zoo.

Oh, there had been collections of exotic animals in captivity for a myriad of purposes - education, entertainment, study, sport - since the earliest human history.  The Ancient Egyptians had them.  So did the Assyrians, the Chinese, and the Greeks.  They were essential to the blood sports of Ancient Rome.  And when Cortes entered the Aztec capital, one of the most astonishing sights to greet his conquistadores was Montezuma's menagerie.

The animal collections have been around for millennia.  It's just the word "zoo" which is relatively recent.  The name, interestingly enough, comes from a song.

Founded in 1828, the Zoological Society of London is perhaps the first modern zoo in the world (though some authorities prefer the Jardin des Plantes of Paris).  It first opened to the general public in 1847 and created a sensation.  It was different from the many smaller, humbler traveling animal shows of the era, as well as the few established menageries.  It set many historical firsts for zoo history.  The official name for it's facility, located in Regent's Park, was the "Zoological Gardens" or "Zoological Society's Gardens".  Most zoos use that title - or the related "Zoological Park" - as their full title.

Enter the Great Vance.

Alfred Vance (often known as "The Great Vance") was a popular showman of the era, and in 1870 he wrote a song about the bestiary in Regent's Park. It contains the line "Walking in the zoo is the OK thing to do."  Interestingly, that opening line is the source of two linguistic firsts.  It was the first use of "OK" in the sense that we usually think of it today (as in "good" or "alright").  It was also the first use of "zoo" as a shorthand for a collection of animals.

The directors of the ZSL did not care for the new nickname - they thought it vulgar and too familiar (and they aren't alone - William T. Hornaday of the New York Zoological Society raged incessantly against those who insisted upon calling his facility "the Bronx Zoo").  Still, the name has caught on and spread rapidly, until we've reached the point where few people can tell you want the full name of a zoo is.  The word has taken on additional meanings, as well - for example, a chaotic or hectic situation (as in "this place is a zoo!")

An excerpt from Vance's song is below - if I can find a clip of it, I'll share it as well (just don't ask me what the rest of the lyrics mean... I have no idea).

The Stilton, Sir, the cheese - the okay thing to do
On Sunday afternoon - is to toddle in the Zoo
Weekdays may do for 'cads' but not for me and you
So dressed right down the road - we show them who is who

Chorus: The walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo
Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo.

So when there comes to town my pretty cousin Loo
I took her off to spend a Sunday in the Zoo
I showed her the aquarium, the tiger, the Zebu
The elephant, the Eland, that cuss the Kangaroo.

Chorus: That Sunday in the Zoo, that Sunday in the Zoo
It's jolly with a pretty girl walking in the Zoo
Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo.

I showed her the swellesses and all the fashions new
Girls with golden tresses, girls with black hair too
Walnut gives the black, Champagne the golden hue
All the beautiful for ever that Madame Rachel knew.

Chorus: Oh the walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The monkeys put us to the blush on Sunday in the Zoo
Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo

So in the monkey house, our going in to woo
Piling up the agony, swearing to be true
Agony indeed! for the cheerful cockatoo
Rudely caught my ear a nip and bit it through and through.

Chorus: Oh that dreadful cockatoo, that awful cockatoo
The horror and the agony that Sunday in the Zoo
Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo.

My cousin bolted off without any more ado
And I skidaddled also looking very blue
So, sympathising friends, I bid you all adieu
Don't mention this occurrence if you meet me in the Zoo.

Chorus: The walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
I'm as great a swell as ever on Sunday in the Zoo
Walking in the Zoo, walking in the Zoo
The okay thing on Sunday is walking in the Zoo.