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I have heard the phrase "I've been to the fair and seen the elephant" meaning to me that the person is telling everyone that he has seen and done things that is beyond the local norm and that the speaker is experienced; wise to the ways of the larger world. I've also heard the phrase shortened to: "I've been to the fair." and "I've seen the elephant." Similar to "This is not my first rodeo." I assumed that it came from someone that had traveled all the way to the state fair or a circus where the rare 19th century pachyderm was on display to the 'rubes'.
In one of the Lord of the Rings books, when Samwise Gamgee sees the giant "Oliphaunts," he exclaims in awe, "Now I can die, for I have seen the oliphaunt." That phrase puzzled me until I learned what seeing the elephant means. After that, I found it delightful. I was disappointed that that line wasn't in the movie, but I doubt that very many would have gotten it.
In "A Book About A Thousand Things," George Stimpson writes about seeing the elephant:
In Valentine's manual of old New York, published in 1926, is the following reference to Coney Island in its early days: "The outstanding features were the new and old Iron Piers, the Observatory, a tall iron tower near the piers, and the great wooden elephant hotel, a caravansary built to resemble that beast. This was the most noted feature of the place, and seeing the elephant passed into popular slang." The Elephant Hotel, which was destroyed by fire in 1896, was built in the form of a gigantic elephant 122 feet high. The structure contained thirty-two bedrooms besides salons and recreation rooms. A "howdah" on the back of the beastlike structure served as a dining and observation room.
It makes me wonder if this hotel inspired Tolkein at all. Stimpson continues:
But this hotel at Coney Island did not suggest the phrase seeing the elephant, which occurs in Kendal's Narrative of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition, printed in 1841, and which was a common everyday expression along the California, Oregon and Santa Fe trails in the decade following.
It makes me wonder if this hotel inspired Tolkein at all.
Hmmm... I rather doubt it.
Here's the account you're referring to from The Two Towers:
Sam drew a deep breath. 'An Oliphaunt it was!' he said. 'So there are Oliphaunts, and I have seen one. What a life! But no one at home will ever believe me. Well, if that's over, I'll have a bit of sleep.'
Perhaps you're thinking of the scene where Sam and Frodo jettison all unnecessary weight on their way up Mount Doom, causing Sam to briefly reminisce about their adventures:
'Do you remember that bit of rabbit, Mr. Frodo?' he said. 'And our place under he warm bank in Captain Faramir's country, the day I saw an oliphaunt?'
Plus, I don't believe Tolkien ever traveled to the United States. (I only did a quick Google search and scanned a couple of biographies, so I could be wrong about that.)
Not the same, but all this talk reminds me of a phrase and story I read (in Readers Digest, I think): "Take the first circus."
The writer explained that one summer during her childhood, three circuses were scheduled to come to her town, but her parents said they could only afford to take her to one of them. She chose the first. As time went on, they found ways to find the money to take her to the second circus, and then to the third as well.
The phrase is not commonly used, I know, but I like it.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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