This Week, the Answer Man Honors Memorial Day and Looks at the Bugle Call, 'Taps.'

1. Although it is now more closely associated with military funerals, the bugle call "Taps" began as a signal for this event. Name the original purpose of the call.

2. This Civil War general officer is credited with creating "Taps." Name him.

3. How many notes are in the song "Taps"?

4. In what year was "Taps" first officially recognized for military funerals?

5. What does "Taps" mean?

Answers

1. "Taps" began as a signal for troops that unauthorized lights were to be extinguished. It was the last call of the day.

2. Union Gen. Daniel Butterfield.

3. 24.

4. 1891.

5. "Taps" and "tattoo" are both alterations of the obsolete word "taproot," derived from the Dutch "tiptoe." "Taptoe" was the command to shut off the tap of a keg and for troops to return to barracks.

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