In San Francisco in January 1921, Loretta Lowe of Fresno was arrested for an offense that rarely appears on modern police blotters: sticking out her tongue at a traffic officer.
Officer Thomas Cashin claimed that he had whistled for Lowe to stop her automobile. Rather than immediately obeying, she turned toward him and extended the tip of her tongue. Cashin interpreted the gesture as deliberate disrespect and took her into custody.
The matter proceeded to police court, where the judge attempted to determine whether Lowe had intentionally insulted the officer. When he asked if she was Miss Lowe, however, her tongue appeared again as she began to answer.
That small demonstration changed the case.
The judge concluded that the movement was probably a mannerism rather than an act of defiance. Lowe apologized, but Cashin remained offended. He announced in court that she had stuck her tongue out at him and that he was angry about it. The judge was apparently unmoved.
The case was dismissed.
She Stuck Her Tongue Out at Angry Auto Cop
SAN FRANCISCO. — Pretty Loretta Lowe of Fresno stood acquitted today of a charge of sticking out her little red tongue at Thomas Cashin, traffic cop.
Cashin arrested her, declaring that when he whistled for her to stop her automobile she just turned around and protruded the tiny tip of her tongue in his direction.
“Are you Miss Lowe?” asked the police judge when she was brought into court.
Out came the little red tongue again as Miss Lowe started to answer.
“I think it just a mannerism,” commented the judge.
“I apologize,” said Miss Lowe.
“You stuck your tongue out at me, and I’m mad at you!” spoke up Cashin, real offended like.
“Case is dismissed.” Said the judge and Miss Lowe took her tongue home with her.
Source: The Seattle Star. Seattle, Wash. January 5, 1921.
