28 Jul
2004
28 Jul
'04
6:56 a.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Geoffrey Thomas" <geoffreythomas(a)onetel.com>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 8:36 PM
Subject: Re: Insect Conductivity - language?
Me , I want to know what the ants said in reply.
Translation anyone -
looking for a babel fish.........
I was up on the scaffolding outside my house today (we're having some
cladding fitted ) fitting up my uhf aerial in a higher position when a
squadron of flying ants descended on everything - from the park at the
back
of the house. I'm afraid I outdid Sellam , and
,statistically speaking ,
you
wouldn't expect that many ants to be illegitimate.
They wouldn't go away
so
I had to come inside , it's a bit dangerous when
you're up high and ants
are
exploring every part of your anatomy ; I've just
had a shower and two came
out of my hair- silly little buggers.
What's this got to do with fucking computers anyway ? ...................
Geoff.
Having decided to enter the debate I thought I might try out a bit of
allusion alongside an expletive - as above . I must say that I find it
distinctly uncomfortable to see the last line in print. I think I belong to
the school that believes that swearing is an art form ( not ark B ) and if
it is used indiscriminately it loses it's impact. I think this is true of
most things in life . I find that the allusion is a lot funnier as ,
obviously, it leaves the reader to visualise the word and the "scene" for
him/her/self. (P.C.)This is a bit like radio as opposed to tv , I suppose.
Swearing , in a conversational context, is probably easier to get away with
as you have inflexion, intonation etc. to convey meaning and any humour.
This is why it looks so bad in print , I think. I thought the beginning of "
Four weddings and a funeral " was poor in this respect -poor acting?- but
perhaps it's a generation gap effect. I certainly have no objections to
anyone writing such in an email , I merely express my own mild discomfort at
seeing my own word in print. I don't believe in any form of organised
religion with a deity , in case anyone is wondering. The only person I know
who has a magic wand is Sooty !
Izzy Wizzy .....................
Geoff.