Sandbaggers: What's in a name?

What's in a name?

Andrew Rogers (arogers@thedomaingroup.com)
Thu, 30 Jan 1997 11:56:03 -0800

I'm pretty sure I know what the term "sandbaggers" means. I like to
think of them as the people who arrive just when the situation is most
desperate and stem the flood by "sandbagging" the river.

My dictionary also suggests that "sandbagger" has a less defensive
meaning, too: One who hits another over the head with a sandbag. Ouch.

My question is, does anyone remember or know whether at any point in the
series, Burnside or anyone else explains why the Sandbaggers are called
the Sandbaggers?

Outside the context of the series, do we know whether Ian Mackintosh or
anyone else ever explained where they came up with the name? (And am I
right in assuming the nickname is entirely fictional?)

I'm looking forward to the list's answers, speculations, ideas, etc.

Andrew
Seattle, WA