Q: When was the world war that was fought from September 1939 to August 1945 first called “World War II?” Who coined that name?
— Neil W. Nelson, Roswell
A: Time magazine believes it was the first publication to make regular use of the phrase "World War II," starting in September 1939. The magazine noted that at that time, The Associated Press, The New York Times and other publications were referring to it as the war in Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in April 1942 asked for suggestions for the war's name and selected "the War for Survival," which didn't last. The late Columbia University professor Henry Steele Commager had told Time that Roosevelt "tried to find a fancy name, but … these wars are too big for descriptive names." The magazine noted that retiring War Secretary Henry L. Stimson and Navy Secretary James Forrestal, who remembered that President Woodrow Wilson had chosen "the World War" as the official name for World War I, recommended World War II in a letter to President Harry Truman. Truman stamped their letter approved, which led to its usage on government documents, the magazine reported.
Q: Who was the home plate umpire for the Braves game on May 12? He has the oddest way of calling strikes.
— Jason Allen, Atlanta
A: Jim Joyce was the home plate umpire for that game. He is best known for an incorrect call at first base that cost former Detroit pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game on June 2, 2010.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or e-mail q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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