“G-Man (short for Government Man) is a slang term for Special agents of the United States Government. It is specifically used as a term for a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, its first known use in America was in 1928. The earliest cite in OED for the American usage is 1930 from a book on Al Capone by FD Pasley.
The phrase may have been inspired by its use in Ireland by G Section of seven sections of the Dublin Metropolitan Police. G section was a plainclothes unit that specifically dealt with investigation of subversion and terrorism during the Irish Civil War ...”
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As far as I know, the FBI hasn’t come to Belgium yet. But then again, I’m sure that we, the law-obedient citizens, aren’t aware of everything that is going on in the world.
Anyway, this post has nothing to do with the secret service or plain-clothes’ policemen. It’s a tribute to one of my neighbours, Mr. G.! This is him.
Anyway, this post has nothing to do with the secret service or plain-clothes’ policemen. It’s a tribute to one of my neighbours, Mr. G.! This is him.
Bringing his bike out of the garage.
He lives across the road and despite his advanced age (he’s well in his eighties) he’s still a keen biker. Three times a day – in the morning, at lunchtime and just before sunset – he brings out his specially fitted bike. Rain or shine, he never misses a ride, except when the roads are covered in snow. Even black ice doesn’t stop him!
Carefully navigating between the bike stand and the dust bin.
He has several set itineraries and the people who live along these all know him. I have been told that some of them actually synchronize their watches when they see him, because he’s amazingly punctual. He’s much admired by all, and yet people sometimes wonder about his mental health.
His appearance is really very unusual, especially when the weather is cold and wet. He always wears his crash helmet, long leather gloves and impressive boots. When it’s cold or raining though, he puts on an extra wind jacket, pulling the hood firmly over the helmet and part of his face.
Mr. G. on his daily lunchtime ride.
His peculiar position on the bike, the half covered face, leather gloves and boots and the large rear view mirrors on both sides of the handlebar make him look like an extra-terrestrial. People who see him passing for the first time often stop and turn around watching him go by. Young children are afraid of him and drivers who see him swaying down the road in front of them, give him a large berth because they are afraid he may fall over right in front of their wheels.
Mr. G, however, takes no notice of them and rides on, concentrating on the road in front of him. Which makes you wonder: could he really be a G-Man?
Mr. G, however, takes no notice of them and rides on, concentrating on the road in front of him. Which makes you wonder: could he really be a G-Man?
6 comments:
I admire him, I love cycling but I am a fair weather cyclist!! Diane
He may look a little odd but good on him for cycling like that at his age!! Impressive :-)
Martine, What a great bloke - my Dad (I've blogged him) who is 90 rides the local velodrome on his bike. Why not be a little eccentric at that age.
Hope we can all be eccentric, why wait until we're ancient.
Bless...
i hate to admit this, but his exercise program is much better than mine. i hope i can do the same at this age.
Diane, Better a fair weather cyclist than not a cyclist at all! ;)
N&A, Impressive, formidable, amazing ... these are the words that really apply to Mr. G.
L&S, Your dad is a fantastic, riding a real competition bike at his age! Eccentric is nice and okay as long as you don't scare people!;)
Kathie, Right so!
Bob, I'm sure you'll find the time to take up some sport as soon as you've retired.
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