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Why are previews, or "coming attractions," for movies called trailers?
There you sit, looking forward to the film that got those great reviews. You've spent an amount equal to your monthly mortgage payment at the refreshment stand and you want to get on with the show. But the theater is subjecting you to the 8th of 11 previews. By the time the feature begins you'll probably be in a nursing home.
Wait a second. These previews precede the main feature. So why are they called "trailers?" Can't a movie mogul tell his head from his tail?
They're called trailers because in the mid 1920s, when "coming attractions" became a regular part of the program, they came after, or "trailed," the feature. Of course by then you and your snookums would have been passionately petting in the balcony, oblivious to what was on the screen, not to mention what was coming next week.
On the new hundred dollar bill the time on the clock tower of Independence Hall is 4:10.
Trust your instinct to the end, though you can render no reason.
