Watching Charlie Rose interviewing George Will suddenly sends my mind off to a hilarious situation: A bunch of friends eating; one reminisced for a while about her childhood-- a cute child, super high IQ, clever with everything. Suddenly someone said, real quiet and casual like, "What happened?" The table went quiet for a split second, then broke up in a riot for a whole 5 minutes, including the insulted person.
What was on Charlie Rose was, George was saying how the USA is top of the world, great resources, good schools, health cares, everything. Charlie said, "What happened?" which seemed to cause George to be lost for words for just a moment.
So, do I have a point here? Only that an apparently innocuous expression can magically become loaded with hidden meanings- sad, ironic, hilarious- if you just get the timing right and say it right.
Yes, timing is everything (or, at least, very important).
The main character in Lucifer' Hammer obsesses about this idea in the later part of the book. When his group is about to be overrun by the enemy, he finally finds the right words at the right time to rally his fellows to make a final (and successful defense). During his obsession he recalls such phrases (and their specific-group connotation) as: "Remember the Alamo." "Liberté, égalité, fraternité." and others.
Lucifer's Hammer: I recently bought a new copy, as the duct tape holding my original copy together isn't.
tromboniator said
Lucifer's Hammer: I recently bought a new copy, as the duct tape holding my original copy together isn't.
Not only that. but it isn't duct tape. It's not up to the temperatures involved in heating ducts. It's duck tape, for repairing "duck boats."
I no longer can read books, due to diabetic retinopathy and cataracts. Unfortunately. duck tape is nigh-on worthless when the non-replaceable batteries of a tablet no longer accept a charge.
deaconB said
Not only that. but it isn't duct tape. It's not up to the temperatures involved in heating ducts. It's duck tape, for repairing "duck boats."
Duck tape is a discussion that does not mention "duck boats." Rather it is made from cotton duck used as a tape on the Brooklyn bridge, etc.