What is the origin of the name “Alcoholics Anonymous”?
In Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, Bill tells us that the title “Alcoholics Anonymous” was one of the first suggestions for the book, appearing probably as early as October 1938. “After we New Yorkers had left the Oxford Groups in 1937 we often described ourselves as a “nameless bunch of alcoholics.” From this phrase it was only a step to the idea of “Alcoholics Anonymous.” This was its actual derivation. Q. Where did the “Big” Hook get its nickname? When “Alcoholics Anonymous” was published, the founding members wanted purchasers to be sure they were getting their money’s worth. Thus, they instructed the printer to run the job on the thickest paper he had. “The original volume proved to be so bulky that it became known as the “Big Book.” Q. Where did the custom of reading from Chapter 5 at the beginning of meetings get started? A drunk by the name of Mort J. sobered up in 1939 after reading the book. He moved to Los Angeles in 1940, and at his own expense, rented a meeting room in
