I've seen a slogan
Sep. 18th, 2002 09:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
camwynon T-shirts and sweatshirts, mostly in catalogs like Signals and Wireless, that I rather like. Aaron Williams, the fellow behind the wonderful gaming comic book/online comic Nodwick, reminded me of it this past week. "The best reason to get an education: you'll get more jokes."
I'd like to add something to this, if I may: a decent education gives you a much better selection of phrases to draw on when you're trying to put together a properly cutting remark.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
cadhla, I can't claim proper credit for last night's comment about the country being run by apes wearing hats; I got it out of Sima Qian. Weeeee the hell back between the Qin and Han dynasties, Xiang Yu decided that he was going to move his imperial capital to the swampy, decidedly non-strategic southern state of Chu, his point of origin, because "Becoming famous without going home is like putting on a new robe and going for a walk at night. Who's to know about it?" When word of his decision got around, one man laughed and said, "These men of Chu are nothing but apes wearing hats!"
Of course, I'd prefer to skip the part where Xiang Yu found out that this had been said and had the man boiled alive, but hey - if that happens, y'all are invited. Bring carrots, onions, and celery, make it a soup night.
Today's pulp survival tip is #39. Keep a civilized tongue in your head. The coolness factor outweighs any shock, disgust, or quizzical puzzlement the bad guy may exhibit at modern slang or profanity.
I'd like to add something to this, if I may: a decent education gives you a much better selection of phrases to draw on when you're trying to put together a properly cutting remark.
cadhla, I can't claim proper credit for last night's comment about the country being run by apes wearing hats; I got it out of Sima Qian. Weeeee the hell back between the Qin and Han dynasties, Xiang Yu decided that he was going to move his imperial capital to the swampy, decidedly non-strategic southern state of Chu, his point of origin, because "Becoming famous without going home is like putting on a new robe and going for a walk at night. Who's to know about it?" When word of his decision got around, one man laughed and said, "These men of Chu are nothing but apes wearing hats!" Of course, I'd prefer to skip the part where Xiang Yu found out that this had been said and had the man boiled alive, but hey - if that happens, y'all are invited. Bring carrots, onions, and celery, make it a soup night.
Today's pulp survival tip is #39. Keep a civilized tongue in your head. The coolness factor outweighs any shock, disgust, or quizzical puzzlement the bad guy may exhibit at modern slang or profanity.
