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Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2004Croaks
A word game. It may have other names, but I know it as "Croaks" -- takes its name from this sentence: "I'm dying," he croaked. A couple more examples to get you going: "I'm coming," he ejaculated. "There's no gold here. I'm going to look elsewhere," the prospector exclaimed. Your turn... > A word game. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Your turn... Best known as Tom Swiftys after the stories about Tom Swift. 'I'm going camping' exclaimed Tom intently. Google on 'Tom Swift' and I guarantee you'll turn up thousands of the little buggers. -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > > A word game. > > [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Best known as Tom Swiftys after the stories about Tom Swift. 'I'm going > camping' exclaimed Tom intently. Croaks are not quite the same as Tom Swiftys. Swiftys depend on the adverb ("intently" in your example). Croaks depend on the verb (in fact, there is no adverb in a croak). > > > A word game. > > > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Croaks depend on the verb (in fact, there is no adverb in a croak). I consider this to be a friendly exercise in hair-splitting (he said sharply). One way (or one name) or the other, both games look to be a kick in the rear (he rebutted). Thanks for opening up this thre, Mr. MC. -YJ > A word game. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Your turn... "Let us go home," she said crisply. I first saw this game played some 40 years ago as an ongoing thing by one of the greatest Bay Area columnists, Herb Caen. I believe he called the game, "Tom Swiftly." Readers quickly bypassed the front section to read Herb Caen on the first page of the second section, to the left of the perpetual Macy's ad. Riding the train in the morning you could see well over 50% of the commuters reading Herb and trying to play his latest word game. One of them was called the "Telephone" game, a Q&A thing: Q: Who was Alexander Graham Kowalski? A: The First Telephone Pole. Q: Who was Rudolf Bell Valentino? A: The first lineman. Q: Who was Alexander Ben Hogan? A: The first golf bell. <groan> You can take them from there. -YJ PS: Skitt from Hayward probably remembers some of this. > > "There's no gold here. I'm going to look elsewhere," the > > prospector exclaimed. > > > > Your turn... > > "Let us go home," she said crisply. NO WIRE HANGERS. EVER!!!! (And no adverbs in Croaks -- only in Swifties) > > > "There's no gold here. I'm going to look elsewhere," the > > > prospector exclaimed. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > NO WIRE HANGERS. EVER!!!! Huh? Could you please explain - I'm totally ignorant of what you're referring to. And shouting it, no less. -YJ > > NO WIRE HANGERS. EVER!!!! > > Huh? Could you please explain - I'm totally ignorant of what you're > referring to. And shouting it, no less. Sure. It's a reference to one of the most famous lines of dialogue in cinema. It's from the film "Mommie Dearest" in which Faye Dunaway, as Joan Crawford, has a shitfit because her daughter is using wire hangers not wooden ones (because they fail to meet Miss Crawford's standards) and she starts screaming at her and beating her with said wire hangers, hence the "shouting." > "Let us go home," she said crisply. > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > PS: Skitt from Hayward probably remembers some of this. No. I remember Herb Caen, but not that game. I don't think it was in the San Jose Mercury Herald.  SignatureSkitt (in Hayward, California) www.geocities.com/opus731/ > > "Let us go home," she said crisply. > > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > No. I remember Herb Caen, but not that game. I don't think it was in the > San Jose Mercury Herald. Skitt, he was in the Chronicle - SF type newspaper. -YJ >>> PS: Skitt from Hayward probably remembers some of this. >> >> No. I remember Herb Caen, but not that game. I don't think it was >> in the San Jose Mercury Herald. > > Skitt, he was in the Chronicle - SF type newspaper. Right, and we didn't subscribe to that one. That is what I was trying to imply. I lived in San Jose and Santa Clara then. SignatureSkitt (in Hayward, California) www.geocities.com/opus731/ > A word game. > > It may have other names, but I know it as "Croaks" -- takes its name > from this sentence: > > "I'm dying," he croaked. The rest of us know these as "Tom Swifties", from the juvenile book series in which no character is ever ever reported to have said anything without there being an adverb to describe how he said it. "I'll have a martini," said Tom dryly. SignatureStefano > > A word game. > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > "I'll have a martini," said Tom dryly. Well, OK, I'll say it one more time and then I'll drop it: there is a difference between a Croak and a Tom Swiftie. A Tom Swiftie revolves around and depends upon an adverb -- in your example, the adverb "dryly." A Croak revolves around and depends upon a verb -- in my example, the verb "croaked." A couple more: "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. "I will polish the furniture," he pledged. "Great Britain should have its own currency," the PM propounded. +++ ... so if anyone is interested in trying them, I'd love to see them. If not, that's fine. If everyone prefers adverbs, go for it. I just thought this could be a little fun, and I don't really want to spend any more time *explaining* that it isn't *quite* the same as a Tom Swiftie. [...] > Well, OK, I'll say it one more time and then I'll drop it: there is a > difference between a Croak and a Tom Swiftie. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > "Great Britain should have its own currency," the PM propounded. "Have another Madeira," he replied. "My rear end sure is sore," she asserted. "This poem is the best e'er written," he o'rated. -- rzed > [...] > [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > "This poem is the best e'er written," he o'rated. "Take that", he riposted. "That's no answer", she replied. "It would be in Ohio", he stated. "This is a very sharp knife", he pointed out. "And so's this", she counterthrusted. SignatureRob Bannister > "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > > "I will polish the furniture," he pledged. > > "Great Britain should have its own currency," the PM propounded. > "Have another Madeira," he replied. > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > "This is a very sharp knife", he pointed out. > "And so's this", she counterthrusted. "Where does it hurt?" the proctologist probed. "Sorry I couldn't find any gold or frankincense," he demurred. "It's one-16th of a pound," I announced. > > "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > "Sorry I couldn't find any gold or frankincense," he demurred. > "It's one-16th of a pound," I announced. "I really enjoyed *Herzog*," he bellowed. "My maternal ancestry is German," she muttered. (Yo, Rey!) "I believe in tangible reality," he objected. "I wanna go bird-hunting," he groused. "Now *that*'s big hair," he teased. "Who has 25 sheets of paper?" he inquired. "This benign tumor is buried deep," he insisted. "Let me approach Cyrus," he advanced. "Goodbye, Ms. Luce," he declared. SignatureBob Lieblich He shut up (for now) > > > "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > > > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > "Let me approach Cyrus," he advanced. > "Goodbye, Ms. Luce," he declared. "I never liked Mr. Nixon!" he contradicted. "The Golden Arches are stylized capital letters," she emphasized. >>>"I hate cocaine!" she snorted. >>> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > "Let me approach Cyrus," he advanced. > "Goodbye, Ms. Luce," he declared. "I went up into the mountains," he explained. "The photographic session has finished," she exposed. "This winter coat is really warm," she inferred. "Now I get the joke!" he ingested. "Here's another glove," she admitted. "I'll polish it again," he rebuffed. "More! More!" he agreed. "Now I can hear you!" he defended. "I hate these small coins," he dispensed. SignatureLaura (emulate St. George for email) > >>>"I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > >>> [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > "Now I can hear you!" he defended. > "I hate these small coins," he dispensed. "My first name? Anne-Sophie," she Muttered. >>>> "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > "Now I can hear you!" he defended. > "I hate these small coins," he dispensed. Forwarded these to my son who responded with : 'My fellow demon is always honest but I NEVER tell the truth,' he implied. 'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she supposed. -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > >>>> "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > >>>> [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > 'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she > supposed. "With a coat like that, you must be related to Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch," he inferred. "I'll keep doing it until I get it right," he retorted. "Are you gay too?" he queried. >'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she >supposed. This one confuses me. Son probably used "sup" to mean "sip", but "a bit to eat" would work better than beer. The confusion results from thinking "SuppHose": support hose. I believe Robin wears such, but I don't know the Brit term if it is different. >> 'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she >> supposed. > > This one confuses me. Son probably used "sup" to mean "sip", but "a > bit to eat" would work better than beer. 'Sup' is a standard brit term for drink. 'Supping ale' is hobby, pastime and nutritional pursuit all in one. Feel free to translate for the American market. The Dean family hold no copyrights. -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply >>> 'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she >>> supposed. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >nutritional pursuit all in one. Feel free to translate for the American >market. The Dean family hold no copyrights. The stuff we learn here! Now, that "standard"..... ? > >> 'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she > >> supposed. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > nutritional pursuit all in one. Feel free to translate for the American > market. The Dean family hold no copyrights. STS warning! "Drink to me only with thine eyes And I will pledge with mine, Or leave a kiss within the cup And I'll not look for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine, But might I of Jove's nectar sup, I would not change for thine." --Ben Jonson From what you said, I imagine the erroneous "sip" is a lot more common in America than Britain. SignatureJerry Friedman >>'I do like a drop of beer while I'm modelling,' she >>supposed. [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >believe Robin wears such, but I don't know the Brit term if it is >different. Nope. It's an ileostomy bag, and doesn't support anything. You don't wanna know any further details. I sup hose.. suppose that someone will provide the definition for 'sup' but here it is anyway, from COD 10: sup · v. (supped, supping) dated or N. English take (drink or liquid food) by sips or spoonfuls. · n. 1 a sip. 2 N. English & Irish alcoholic drink. ORIGIN OE sGpan (v.), sGpa (n.), of Gmc origin. So John's use of 'suppose' was perfect. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England snip >>The confusion results from thinking "SuppHose": support hose. I >>believe Robin wears such, but I don't know the Brit term if it is [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >· v. (supped, supping) dated or N. English take (drink or liquid food) by >sips or spoonfuls. As in: See all, hear all, say nowt. Eat all, sup all, pay nowt. If thee ever do owt for nowt, Do it for thee'sel. Ex Yorkshire. Mike SignatureM.J.Powell I'm really enjoying all the new ones, but must we quote five levels deep? SignatureWes Groleau Call me Net Cop and see if I care.... > I'm really enjoying all the new ones, > but must we quote five levels deep? Perhaps the quoters feel the previous material deserves a second look. Wait, no. That's a stupid idea. I withdraw it... ...he expostulated. SignatureOpus the Penguin (that's my real email addy) You snipped my sig! >> I'm really enjoying all the new ones, >> but must we quote five levels deep? [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > ...he expostulated. Somebody already said that earlier in the thread .... he recited I don't think much of it ... he orated -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply >>> I'm really enjoying all the new ones, >>> but must we quote five levels deep? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Somebody already said that earlier in the thread .... he recited Well, ok, but I hope you know I didn't steal it from that person ... he said inappropriately. On the other hand, I'm certainly not denying that person had first rights to the pun ... he proclaimed. > I don't think much of it ... he orated Then again, maybe we BOTH stole it, in which case the other guy gets low marks ... he corroborated. SignatureOpus the Penguin (that's my real email addy) "There was a great mix of comedy, pathos and a couple other literary- sounding things." - Mr C >>>> I'm really enjoying all the new ones, >>>> but must we quote five levels deep? [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > Then again, maybe we BOTH stole it, in which case the other guy gets > low marks ... he corroborated. Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his neighbour's > wife ... he insinuated. "I can't perform cunnilingus forever," he breathed. >> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. > > "I can't perform cunnilingus forever," he breathed. "I think you've done all that's necessary," she finished. SignatureOpus the Penguin (that's my real email addy) You snipped my sig! >>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. >> >> "I can't perform cunnilingus forever," he breathed. > >"I think you've done all that's necessary," she finished. "I should stop before it's too late," he gushed. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > >>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his > >>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > "I should stop before it's too late," he gushed. "But I'll keep going a little longer if I must," he mouthed. >>>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >>>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > "I should stop before it's too late," he gushed. I don't know what came over me ... she bubbled -- John 'I;ve *really* got to stop soon...' Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > >>>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his > >>>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > I don't know what came over me ... she bubbled "I'm crazy about you," she raved. >> >>>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >> >>>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >"I'm crazy about you," she raved. "I'm going to make some holes", she drawled. "That is my lab glassware you are using", she retorted. "Here's my membership fee, now let me in", he rejoined. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Signature"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com > "I'm going to make some holes", she drawled. > > "That is my lab glassware you are using", she retorted. > > "Here's my membership fee, now let me in", he rejoined. "I'll say it again. BrE is better than AmE," she responded. > > "I'm going to make some holes", she drawled. > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > "I'll say it again. BrE is better than AmE," she responded. "Remove the butt portion before consuming," he asseverated. "Her derriere will always be impressive to me," he asseverated SignatureBob Lieblich He asseverated > > > "I'm going to make some holes", she drawled. > > > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > "Remove the butt portion before consuming," he asseverated. > "Her derriere will always be impressive to me," he asseverated "You make my heart flutter," she murmured. "Get me Ben and Jerry!" I screamed. >>> "I'm going to make some holes", she drawled. >>> [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > "Remove the butt portion before consuming," he asseverated. > "Her derriere will always be impressive to me," he asseverated That's two bums ... he asumed -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > > "Remove the butt portion before consuming," he asseverated. > > "Her derriere will always be impressive to me," he asseverated > > That's two bums ... he asumed "Two bums? No, but I have two buttocks," the Frenchman confessed. >>> "Remove the butt portion before consuming," he asseverated. >>> "Her derriere will always be impressive to me," he asseverated >> >> That's two bums ... he asumed > > "Two bums? No, but I have two buttocks," the Frenchman confessed. Or ... I have buttocks and something else of interest ... the Frenchwoman confessed. (But kudos to you for the original) -- John Dean Oxford De-frag to reply > Or ... I have buttocks and something else of interest ... the Frenchwoman > confessed. "I 'ave, 'ow you say, zee nice pussy," she purred. >>>>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >>>>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > >I don't know what came over me ... she bubbled "These one-liners are getting a bit near the bone," I ossify. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > >>>>> Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his > >>>>> neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > "These one-liners are getting a bit near the bone," I ossify. "This conversation is for the birds," she twittered. >>>>Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his >>>>neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > "I should stop before it's too late," he gushed. "Not yet," she came again. SignatureRob Bannister > >>>>Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his > >>>>neighbour's wife ... he insinuated. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > > "Not yet," she came again. "On this rock I will build my church. On this rock I will build my church," Jesus repeated. >>>>> I'm really enjoying all the new ones, >>>>> but must we quote five levels deep? [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] >Obviously the kind of person who performs cunnilungus on his neighbour's >wife ... he insinuated. You should see my neighbours' wives ... he intimated. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > > > "I hate cocaine!" she snorted. > > > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > "Let me approach Cyrus," he advanced. > "Goodbye, Ms. Luce," he declared. "I'm debarking at a port in the Suez," she said. \\P. Schultz >"I'm debarking at a port in the Suez," she said. Nice one. "I'll go to Baghdad instead," he exploded. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > >"I'm debarking at a port in the Suez," she said. > > > Nice one. > > "I'll go to Baghdad instead," he exploded. "Bring on those insurgents," he shot back. >> >"I'm debarking at a port in the Suez," she said. >> > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >"Bring on those insurgents," he shot back. "sh.t! These cartridges are blanks," he clicked. "It's a shell game," she gambled. "I'll just use the bazooka," he rocketed back. "You bowl a maiden over," she chirped. <Heh!> "I've taken out our leader," he miscalculated. "Let's fly home," she egressed. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > > [...] > > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > "This is a very sharp knife", he pointed out. > "And so's this", she counterthrusted. "What is the name of those large flightless birds?", 'e mused. "I got Jim Beam in my eye!", he emoted. "What a disgusting loogie," he spat. -- rzed In alt.usage.english Stefano MacGregor <esperantujo@yahoo.com> wrote: > "I'll have a martini," said Tom dryly. "Don't pluck my back hairs!" cried Tom superciliciously. >In alt.usage.english Stefano MacGregor <esperantujo@yahoo.com> wrote: > >> "I'll have a martini," said Tom dryly. > >"Don't pluck my back hairs!" cried Tom superciliciously. "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours," he rasped. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England In alt.usage.english Dr Robin Bignall <docrobin@ntlworld.com> wrote: > "You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours," he rasped. I don't have a topper, but I can offer up Satellite Laser Hair Removal: http://www.trygve.com/laserhairremoval.html I'm also wondering what "Allie Allie Oxen Free" is in Arabic - maybe we could try it on Osama. >In alt.usage.english Dr Robin Bignall <docrobin@ntlworld.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > >http://www.trygve.com/laserhairremoval.html Evidently, lasers can be used to both remove hair and stimulate hair growth: http://www.thewmurchannel.com/health/2190781/detail.html > It may have other names, but I know it as "Croaks" -- takes its > name from this sentence: > > "I'm dying," he croaked. Have you seen the poem called -- I think -- "Good Old William", by Roger McGough? Cheers, Daniel. > > It may have other names, but I know it as "Croaks" -- takes its > > name from this sentence: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Have you seen the poem called -- I think -- "Good Old William", by > Roger McGough? Don't know it. I'll keep an eye out for it. >> > It may have other names, but I know it as "Croaks" -- takes its >> > name from this sentence: [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Don't know it. I'll keep an eye out for it. Viola! <http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?threadid=3589> <begin quote> "Good Old William" by Roger McGough 'I concur with everything you say,' smiled William 'Oh yes, I concur with that, I agree.' 'If that's the general feeling You can count on me. Can't say fairer.' Good old William, the Concurrer. <end quote> "You're a son of a bitch," he sobbed. "Keep your dog quiet!", she barked. "That stain came right out," he shouted. "I hear a mosquito," she whined. "Yiddish is so hard to understand," he kvetched. SignatureRay Heindl (remove the Xs to reply) > Viola! > <http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?threadid=3589> Aye, that's the laddie. Funny, I thought it was longer ... but I can't find my print copy to check. The online version is certainly much as I remembered it, though. Cheers, Daniel. > A word game. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Your turn... "I hate to tell you this, but I have an erection", he pointed out. "I will never, ever again eat in this f*cking restaurant!", he swore. "Your insurance company owes me a payout!", he claimed. "Listen to me respirating!", the biology teacher breathed sexily. "I'm not upset. I have something in my eye", she decried. "Hold on, I'm taking my intramuscular insulin" he interjected. "so... erm... what happened to my jewellry?", she broached. "Furthermore, my first act as leader is to demand that everyone will do exactly as I say", he dictated. "Oooh baby!", he emitted. "I love these trains!", he expressed. "Hold on while I fix the heating", he piped up. "Good day, Sargeant Major!" he saluted. "please... I really need to go to the toilet!" she urged. ....and some more 'creative' ones: "Incest is so... naughty!" he insisted. "Sorry, it costs 10 gold coins to get by this bridge", the troll told him. alex > A word game. > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Your turn... how about a paradox thang? "I don't actually exist!" he realised. >> A word game. >> [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >"I don't actually exist!" he realised. "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. Or "On the trail of the lonesome pine", which he preferred. m. >> "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. > > Or "On the trail of the lonesome pine", which he preferred. "I don't care which one you choose. Just get that tree out of here!" he deferred. SignatureOpus the Penguin (that's my real email addy) You snipped my sig! >>>"I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. >> >>Or "On the trail of the lonesome pine", which he preferred. > > "I don't care which one you choose. Just get that tree out of here!" he > deferred. "How? Oh, I suppose I'll have to chop it into small pieces," he twigged. "Watch out! You've grazed me with that branch!" she barked. SignatureLaura (emulate St. George for email) > >>>"I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. > >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > "How? Oh, I suppose I'll have to chop it into small pieces," he twigged. > "Watch out! You've grazed me with that branch!" she barked. "We'll have to plant some more pines between the rows we have," he interceded. >>>>> "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. >>>> [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > "We'll have to plant some more pines between the rows we have," he > interceded. "LOLOLOL! I certainly have liked these GAY creaks!!", he enjoeyed. -- rzed >>>>>> "I talk to the trees, but they don't listen to me", he opined. >>>>> [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > >"LOLOLOL! I certainly have liked these GAY creaks!!", he enjoeyed. "Practice makes perfect," he theorised. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > "I'm dying," he croaked. "That was the closest vote in the nation's history," he recounted. "We're going to the Cairngorms for our vacation," she decided. "I was blacklisted as well," he commiserated. SignatureOdysseus > "That was the closest vote in the nation's history," he recounted. > > "We're going to the Cairngorms for our vacation," she decided. > > "I was blacklisted as well," he commiserated. "I decided to give you an A-plus after all," the teacher remarked. "I love Esmeralda," Quasimodo chimed in. "It's only a legend," the headless horseman hollered. "And this is law, I will maintain," the vicar brayed. "My name may be Edward, but that's, not what I'm called," Pooh whinnied. "I'm an ecdysiast," she tittered. "You're an ecdysiast? Touch your legs against mine, then," he stridulated. "They're my fingers and I'll do what I like with them!" he snapped. >> "That was the closest vote in the nation's history," he recounted. >> [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > >"They're my fingers and I'll do what I like with them!" he snapped. "But it's only a song", the Eskimo knelled. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > >> "That was the closest vote in the nation's history," he recounted. > >> [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > "But it's only a song", the Eskimo knelled. "It's neither the top nor the bottom," I sighed. "Bovines get PMS too," she mooed. "You're no Lysander," Achilles hectored. "Ginsberg's the name!" Allen howled. "We laugh at political correctness," he sniggered. >> >> "That was the closest vote in the nation's history," he recounted. >> >> [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > >"We laugh at political correctness," he sniggered. "Of course, this is only a model," he tinkered, toying with the idea of building a full-sized one. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England > "Of course, this is only a model," he tinkered, toying with > the idea of building a full-sized one. "Building pilotless aircraft has long been a fascination of mine," he droned. Cheers, Daniel. > > "Of course, this is only a model," he tinkered, toying with > > the idea of building a full-sized one. > > "Building pilotless aircraft has long been a fascination of > mine," he droned. "I've had far too much to drink," he gulped. > > "Building pilotless aircraft has long been a fascination of > > mine," he droned. > > "I've had far too much to drink," he gulped. "This is an infinite loop," she reiterated. "Open gasoline cans are dangerous!" he fumed. "I've been cheating on you," she cackled. [The 'cackled' one is not original, but I haven't seen it come up in this thread and I like it.] "Cap'n says I'm the best engineer in Starfleet," Scotty beamed. -- Ravi. wastebasket@nospam.aaisp.org spake thus: > > "Of course, this is only a model," he tinkered, toying with > > the idea of building a full-sized one. > > "Building pilotless aircraft has long been a fascination of > mine," he droned. or "Meet my wife, the Queen," he droned. Signaturethe Omrud Nogland >wastebasket@nospam.aaisp.org spake thus: > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >"Meet my wife, the Queen," he droned. "And how is Noggin the Nog?", I televised. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England Dr Robin Bignall spake thus: > >wastebasket@nospam.aaisp.org spake thus: > > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > "And how is Noggin the Nog?", I televised. "I believe he is living on his pension, having given up work", I reply retiringly. Retiringly? Is that a word? Signaturethe Omrud === >Dr Robin Bignall spake thus: > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >Retiringly? Is that a word? "In this particular thread, almost anything is a word," he needled sharply. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England >>Dr Robin Bignall spake thus: >> [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >"In this particular thread, almost anything is a word," he needled sharply. "FGTHUM ERB" he cyphered. Mike SignatureM.J.Powell >>>Dr Robin Bignall spake thus: >>> [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > >"FGTHUM ERB" he cyphered. "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Signature"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com > "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. "I much prefer the old whirlpool bath," he bubbled. SignatureCheers, Daniel. In alt.usage.english Daniel James <wastebasket@nospam.aaisp.org> wrote: > "I much prefer the old whirlpool bath," he bubbled. "Pass me the loofah", he rasped. >In alt.usage.english Daniel James <wastebasket@nospam.aaisp.org> wrote: > >> "I much prefer the old whirlpool bath," he bubbled. > >"Pass me the loofah", he rasped. "I prefer a sponger," he donated. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > >"I much prefer the old whirlpool bath," he bubbled. "See the whales!" he spouted. Mike SignatureM.J.Powell It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books by Victor Appleton. These books were replete with these breathless ejaculations and were easily parodied. Mike > It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds > of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books > by Victor Appleton. > These books were replete with these breathless ejaculations and were easily > parodied. Strictly speaking, in a Tom Swifty it is an adverb that carries the pun, not the verb, eg "I'm taking the prisoner downstairs now," said Tom condescendingly. SignatureAlec McKenzie mckenzie@despammed.com > > It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds > > of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > "I'm taking the prisoner downstairs now," said Tom condescendingly. "Look at it with selfish delight", said Tom gloatingly. Is the above a 'Tom Swift'? As I see it, it is not really a pun, since a definition of 'gloat' is to "Look at with selfish delight'. > It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds > of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books > by Victor Appleton. Much earlier, in the 1910-20 era. As a child I had several of them that were passed on to me by my mother's cousin, who was born circa 1905. They had titles like "Tom Swift and his Flying Machine" and "Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout". SignatureJohn Varela (Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for email.) I apologize for munging the address but the spam is too much. >> It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds >> of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >titles like "Tom Swift and his Flying Machine" and "Tom Swift and his Electric >Runabout". There was also a Tom Swift Jr. series, written by "Victor Appleton II", and published between 1954 and about 1970. Many of his inventions were atomic powered, including his powerful triphibian atomicar (fun to drive on his repelatron skyway). Apparently, "Victor Appleton" was a pseudonym for a couple of different writers, so presumably was "Victor Appleton II", barring some unimaginably unlikely coincidence. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Signature"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com >>Much earlier, in the 1910-20 era. As a child I had several of >>them that were passed on to me by my mother's cousin, who was born >>circa 1905. They had titles like "Tom Swift and his Flying >>Machine" and "Tom Swift and his Electric Runabout". I read "Tom Swift and his Submarine Boat", from 1910, a few days ago. Project Gutenberg has it online. I was raised on the Tom Jr. adventures, but hadn't read any of the Sr. ones before. The submarine boat had a magnetohydrodynamic drive, 74 years before Clancy's "Red October". > There was also a Tom Swift Jr. series, written by "Victor Appleton > II", and published between 1954 and about 1970. Many of his [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > different writers, so presumably was "Victor Appleton II", barring > some unimaginably unlikely coincidence. There was another series, in paperback, starting in 1991 and written by "Victor Appleton". I don't recall whether the protagonist is "Jr." or not, but the author has no suffx, for some odd reason. Yet another series, 1981-84, sounds more outer-spacey than the other three. I've never seen any of those. This site lists the actual authors: <http://users.arczip.com/fwdixon/tomswift/ts1.htm> SignatureRay Heindl (remove the Xs to reply) > > It may have been said further up the thread, but we used to call these kinds > > of expressions 'Tom Swifties'; referring to the Depression-era boys' books [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > titles like "Tom Swift and his Flying Machine" and "Tom Swift and his Electric > Runabout". There are eight of the books at MasterTexts.com. Looking through Chapter l of "Tom Swift and His Air Glider," I must say it's not as bad on dialog tags as some other books from that era. A lot of "gasped" and "exclaimed" -- could be worse. When I'm looking for examples of some bit of English using MasterTexts search feature, and it turns up an example drawn from a Tom Swift book, I must confess that I am enough of a snob to pass it by. All those series, both boys' and girls' books, were produced by one syndicate started by Edward Stratemeyer. An article on it says: The Stratemeyer Syndicate was a "book packager" which was responsible for the large percentage of juvenile series books in this century, including the Bobbsey Twins (1904-79+), Tom Swift (1910-41), the Hardy Boys (1927-79+), and Nancy Drew (1930-79+). The Stratemeyer Syndicate was responsible for more than 1,600 series book volumes (mostly juvenile) published between 1904 and 1984. In addition, the founder of the Syndicate, Edward Stratemeyer (1862-1930) is known to have used many pseudonyms (either by his choice or the publishers of his stories in story papers, dime novels, or in book form). ...The Syndicate's modus operandi was to create outlines for entire series and specific volumes which would be turned over to ghostwriters... My mother got interested in this for a while, collecting every thrift-store Stratemeyer book she could, the old ones. Now she's got a wallful. SignatureBest -- Donna Richoux > ...The Syndicate's modus operandi was to create > outlines for entire series and specific volumes > which would be turned over to ghostwriters... That is still a practice today. My former daughter-in-law has ghostwritten a half-dozen or more titles in a series that numbers over 100 titles. In her case, she was working for the woman who originated the series and wrote the first few books. If some volume in a juvenile series has an Acknowledgement to an individual, most likely that individual actually wrote the book to a plot outline provided by the nominal author. SignatureJohn Varela (Trade "OLD" lamps for "NEW" for email.) I apologize for munging the address but the spam is too much. > >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Mike "Another beer! And make it Irish!" he harped. Wade >> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. >> > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >"Another beer! And make it Irish!" he harped. "I don't like the taste of this fish", he carped. Mike SignatureM.J.Powell >>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. >>> > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >"I don't like the taste of this fish", he carped. "This piece is too big to eat", he wailed. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >> >"This piece is too big to eat", he wailed. "Would you like to come in for a drink?" she said koily Boron > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Boron "Please use the doorbell" she intoned. Wade > > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > "Please use the doorbell" she intoned. > Wade "Please use the doorbell", she chimed. "Timothy McVeigh did it!", he exploded. "It's the port where the Suez Canal meets the Mediterranean Sea", he said. Alan >> > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. >> > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > >"It's the port where the Suez Canal meets the Mediterranean Sea", he said. "You want us to vacation on some penninsula in Québec?" she gaspéd. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Signature"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com > >> > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > >> > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > "You want us to vacation on some penninsula in Québec?" she gaspéd. "I think I have caisson disease", she said breathlessly. Alan > >> > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > >> > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > "You want us to vacation on some penninsula in Québec?" she gaspéd. "I don't want to see the world's first passenger railway", he mumbled. > > >> > >>>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. > > >> > >>>> > [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > > "I don't want to see the world's first passenger railway", he mumbled. "The world's first passenger railway?" she echoed. [ ... -- enough already] > > > "You want us to vacation on some penninsula in Québec?" she gaspéd. > > > > "I don't want to see the world's first passenger railway", he mumbled. > > > "The world's first passenger railway?" she echoed. "These prisoners have planted a lovely garden," he conceded. SignatureBob Lieblich Pro contra > [ ... -- enough already] > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > "These prisoners have planted a lovely garden," he conceded. "Do be really want THIS eagle as our emblem", Benjamin Franklin bawled. TYPO > > [ ... -- enough already] > > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > "Do be really want THIS eagle as our emblem", Benjamin Franklin bawled. "Do we . . . >[ ... -- enough already] > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >"These prisoners have planted a lovely garden," he conceded. "I've figured out how to aluminize this telescope mirror", he sputtered. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany Signature"it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" speff@interlog.com Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com > >[ ... -- enough already] > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > "I've figured out how to aluminize this telescope mirror", he > sputtered. "My makeup is looking smeared", she reflected. > > >[ ... -- enough already] > > > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > "My makeup is looking smeared", she reflected. "I'm making some Newfoundland hooch!", he screeched. > >[ ... -- enough already] > > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > "I've figured out how to aluminize this telescope mirror", he > sputtered. "Is it for a Cassegrain telescope?", he asked, objectively. > "Is it for a Cassegrain telescope?", he asked, objectively. That would be another "Swifty", rather than a "Croak". "Damn, I hate this furnace!" he vented. SignatureOdysseus > > "Is it for a Cassegrain telescope?", he asked, objectively. > > That would be another "Swifty", rather than a "Croak". > > "Damn, I hate this furnace!" he vented. "It's about showing the meat from a calf", he revealed. >[ ... -- enough already] > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >"These prisoners have planted a lovely garden," he conceded. "But zey all haff tunnel vision", the guard discovered. Signaturewrmst rgrds Robin Bignall Quiet part of Hertfordshire England >>> >> "This new massaging shower head is invigorating", she moaned. >>> > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > >"I don't like the taste of this fish", he carped. "I'll take that." the porter carped. |
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