Anagram Corner

It has long been known by many that O.W. Toad, which appears on the copyright page of Atwood novels, is an anagram of “Atwood.” (I did try straight names first, such as Acme Paper Products, but all were already in use.) At the time it was introduced, “O.W. Toad” was not only a reference to the author’s belated attempts to learn how to drive – viz. Toad Hall – but also a hopeful bridge between the invertebrate kingdom and the primates, via the amphibians, as well as a glancing reference to the fairy-tale belief that the toad conceals a jewel in its forehead. Debate has raged over the significance of the initials O. and W. Do they spell “ow,” and if so is this a sadistic or a masochistic “ow”? Are they short for “Oh Wondrous,” or else “Oh Woeful,” or indeed “Oh wistful?” Or even “Old Wise,” or else “Old Witch”? (Ms. Toad once received a letter from the Canadian income tax folk, asking – with touching faith – “Is there really a Mr. Toad?” We refrained from replying that there was, and that he could be reached c/o S. Claus.)

Now, however, the possibilities have been expanded by Jake Bakalar of Cambridge, Mass., who has supplied the following variants of “Margaret Atwood:”

WOO GREAT MAD ART!

and

GOAD ME TO WAR, RAT!

It helps to have a lot of vowels.

Thanks, Jake.

And not to be outdone, Matthew Poulakakis contributes...

A Larger Tower

(an ode to M.A.)
O Great Warm Toad!
To dream, go at war!
Mow a target road...
To wager, Matador!

A great orator – A medal new
Gleam, erato! (Draw near, too)

Thanks to Matthew also.