This photo from Le Figaro reminds me - can't quite explain the logical progression, I'm afraid, maybe Scarlet could oblige - of the story of the flock of ostriches. Suddenly aware of some danger, they all buried their heads in the sand. One, bolder than the others, lifted his head out first, looked round him and said 'But where are the others?'*
Happy Sunday. Or whatever day you read it on. If you read it at all.
*Courtesy my Aunt Evelyn, ca. 1956. Other little gems may follow at discreet (and indeed discrete) intervals. Be prepared.
28 comments:
I am now thoroughly confused - you said you were going to Greece. Did you really mean Crete, as in this Crete? Or are you dissing Crete? Or is this a taxonomy riddle?
I'm sure I shall better understand it in the morning.
(I had an Aunt Evelyn.I don't think she had much to do with ostriches.)
It is the morning. And any rhodes up I would find it hard to diss Crete 'cos I haven't actually been thera yet...
Pliny the Elder first suggested that ostriches hide their heads in bushes. Ostriches don't hide, either in bushes or sand, although they do sometimes lie on the ground to make themselves inconspicuous. The 'burying their head in the sand' myth is likely to have originated from people observing them lowering their heads when feeding.
In Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy the 'Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal' was described as 'so mind-bogglingly stupid that it assumes that if you can't see it, then it can't see you.'
Dave, thank you. This is the first mention of Pliny the Elder ever registered on Lydian Airs, unless Rog - or indeed Tim or Martin - have smuggled him unsuspected in the form of a pun or jeux de mots). And it is such a pleasure to host your scholarship. Floreat Oriens!, as Pliny used to say.
I trust this was also the first ever mention of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal. We visitors from the East have certain standards to maintain, you know.
Cor. Phew.
I think you'll find Dave's scholarship is hosted here
Slarty Bartfarst. He designed those intricate Norwegian Fords and Swedish Saabs you know.
True scholarship comes in knowing what question to ask, and where to look for the answer.
And I know how to do umlaüts too, Rog.
I see you're a dab hand with cut 'n paste as well Dave!
Happy Sunday to you too, Mr Lydian Airs.
All hail to Dave for quoting from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I was once on a quiz team who chose 'The Slarty Bartfarst Society' as our team name and most of our opponents had no idea where the name came from (a lot fo them thought it was something rude).
Thank you and a Happy Monday to you.
Comment Deleted: Very wise. Second thoughts are best.
Z: Careful! Only a handful of these Greek islands work convincingly. At this point the wise punster packsi tin...
(Bet you can't carry on!)
Dave: I see you've been gracing other organs again.
Rog: Yes, zero tolerance for those um louts. And pirate cutters.
Liz: Hi. Good of you to drop in. Greetings to you both and a bun for the bear, if you can allow him a couple of minutes off from polishing your pub quiz trophies.
Mig: Yes, it's Monday, as ever was. I plan to fritter it away as usual. How about you?
No indeed. I'd soon come a cropolis.
Samos usual, I see.
Well, you didn't get my quote from "Grease" the last time but it was mostly harmless anyway.
That's a quote from Hitchhikers, if you don't spot it Chris.
No mortal man, moreover is wise at all moments.
That's a quote from Pliny the Elder.
Nulla dies sine linea.
It's been my attitude to my blog, almost from the start, even though it is merely a quote from Pliny the Younger.
Rosie, the only quotes I've had from you this month have been:
I'll take a case of that, thank you
and You've certainly taken a leaf out of the same book or something
which I suspect you lifted from the works of Pliny the Younger. Nothing about 'Grease'. Did you perhaps submit it to Rog for pun quality control? He's much too gentlemanly to turn it down, surely?
Dave: This is truly impressive. Don't stop now (which you'll recognise as a quote from Scarlet the Elder).
Quandoque bonum Homerus dormitat (I think).
I have just realised that 'no day without a line' is actually a reference to drugs.
Mike: Exactly. And when the good Homer nods...
Rem acu tetigisti, as Dave would say sub specie papaveris.
Reading very early on Tuesday morning. (Couldn't sleep). That's not why I came here, the couldn't sleep part. I am long overdue and you are very entertaining, knowledgeable and cultured. (I don't have much to compare you to around here).
I do like the Ostriches idea of escapism, although I have done the same thing with my head in a bottle of what I deem as good wine. It's not in a box, as I'm sure that's what you were thinking. (Do you have wine in boxes in France? Just wonderin')
Anyway, good to visit here.
Peace
Very good. Although I believe that taking a line of cocaine involves snorting it, rather than using a needle.
A comment section quoting The Hitchhikers' Guide to the Galaxy AND Pliny the Elder?! Where am I?!
:-)
Pearl
Spadoman: I hope your visit here helped you to sleep? Yes, we do have wine in boxes, mostly for everyday drinking or for cooking. You can also buy it in large plastic containers which the French acknowledge their indebtedness to the USA by calling un jerrican.
Dave: Yes, I felt quite proud of this one!
Pearl: Very pleased to see you, thanks for calling in. Tea? Coffee? Citron pressé? We could probably find a root beer if that's what you'd prefer. There's a chair for you by the window next to Dave, who is much given to Pearls of wisdom.
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