The article discusses the origin of "Uncle Sam," a nickname applied to the U.S. government. The author comments that the name was first used during the War of 1812 and notes the application of satirical nicknames to historical figures and social groups during the war. Newspaper articles, literature and songs using the nickname to represent the U.S. government during the war are presented. He investigates connections between the nickname and contractor Samuel Wilson, who had inspected supplies purchased by contractor Elbert Anderson for the U.S. Army that had been marked with the abbreviation "U.S." on crates. He notes that Wilson was not associated with the nickname until years after the war and suggests the name may have been based on the abbreviation "U.S."