Keep the multiplication table out of my head

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Marius Hancu - 31 Oct 2008 09:57 GMT

Hello:

Would
"I couldn't keep the multiplication table out of my head"
mean
"I couldn't keep the reality (check) out of my head"

Any similar phrases?

-----
[On this commercial ship in Atlantic during the war, Augie's become the
"listener" to all stories. This is short splice of one of them, nothing
more given.]

"Though I knew she was so sweet and we had the kids, the time just came
when I couldn't keep the multiplication table out of my head, and then I
knew, 'Bitches is all you deserve and should be with. Let them rob you
and kick you around. That's okay!' "

Augie March, by Bellow, p. 538
-----

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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CDB - 31 Oct 2008 13:18 GMT

> Would
> "I couldn't keep the multiplication table out of my head"
> mean
> "I couldn't keep the reality (check) out of my head"

> Any similar phrases?

I'm afraid our poet may have meant that the narrator was two-timing
his sweetie.

> [On this commercial ship in Atlantic during the war, Augie's become
> the "listener" to all stories. This is short splice of one of them,
> nothing more given.]

> "Though I knew she was so sweet and we had the kids, the time just
> came when I couldn't keep the multiplication table out of my head,
> and then I knew, 'Bitches is all you deserve and should be with.
> Let them rob you and kick you around. That's okay!' "

> Augie March, by Bellow, p. 538

Reply to this Message

Marius Hancu - 31 Oct 2008 14:41 GMT

> I'm afraid our poet may have meant that the narrator was two-timing
> his sweetie.
>
> > [On this commercial ship in Atlantic during the war, Augie's become
> > the "listener" to all stories. This is short splice of one of them,
> > nothing more given.]

> > "Though I knew she was so sweet and we had the kids, the time just
> > came when I couldn't keep the multiplication table out of my head,
> > and then I knew, 'Bitches is all you deserve and should be with.
> > Let them rob you and kick you around. That's okay!' "
> > Augie March, by Bellow, p. 538

Now that you tell me, I see that angle too.

Thanks.
Marius Hancu

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / October 2008

Keep the multiplication table out of my head