Writing Challenge Discussion -- January 2011

[Mouse]

He's the third name on my list.


On top of TE and TJ.

And I hope you remember it's ladies before gentlemen, Karn.

HA! Now why wasn't I here earlier?! That's cheered me right up before work. And I can't be blamed for any of it!

Back on topic... I wrote another story last night. 55 words this time. I don't know why mine are getting shorter.

 

[J Riff]

Must be using longer words. Too much talent, maybe.

 

[digs]

I wrote another story last night. 55 words this time. I don't know why mine are getting shorter.

I look forward to your 1 word story!

 

[Allanon]

We did have a one word story on the seven deadly sins month, it wasn't from Mouse but I do recall it being very funny!

 

[J Riff]

Yes. *

 

[Parson]

Back on topic... I wrote another story last night. 55 words this time. I don't know why mine are getting shorter.

I suspect your vocabulary is expanding, as you communicate on the erudite forum.

Maybe form playing "Say What?"

 

[The Judge]

*Even though encouraged by Judicial misconduct.

*sentences self to 30 minutes on the naughty step*


Ursa, I hadn't twigged who Arthur Schnitzler was or, rather, what he wrote (despite nearly going and seeing the David Hare version) and only got your comment when I googled him (bit of an eye-opener about his diary...). I think -- since this is a family-friendly site -- it's probably just as well no one's thought to condense it!


Anyway, we're really going great guns, this month -- 43 entries already, and still 10 days to go before the Challenge closes.

 

[Parson]

Your honor,

Sometimes I think we speak a different language "naughty step" and "twigged" are both ciphers for me. Context, I suppose, explains them but neither is the "American" I speak.

I also thought that I was likely the only one who did not know who Arthur Schnitzler was; and I wish I hadn't had my eyes opened to his diary. He must have had the morals of a donkey.

 

[Ursa major]

I think you should have twigged, Parson, that the naughty step you took was to read anything about the diaries; far better to steer your way around them (which is what I did).


Then again, I was more aware of the existence of the play - of which I've heard, but not much else (I haven't even seen a clip from one of the various cinematic adaptations) - than any details about its author.

 

[Mouse]

I googled this Arthur blokey and didn't find anything naughty. I feel like I'm missing out now!

 

[Ursa major]

A Wiener Schnitzel may be a little bit naughty, I suppose, though perhaps a bit disappointing....









(And I'm not going to explain that on a family forum.)

 

[Mouse]

HA!!! Filth.

 

[The Judge]

Parson:
-- the naughty step is a relative recent introduction into English. If a child is misbehaving, the modern thought is not to wallop them on the backside** but to make them sit down somewhere quiet, very often the bottom step of the stairs, and ignore them (on the basis, I imagine, that the misbehaviour is attention-seeking)

-- "twig" is an informal synonym for realise/understand/comprehend


Mouse -- try the wikipedia article, and read it to the end.



** to paraphrase Samuel Johnson -- there is less walloping than formerly "but then less is learned... so that what the [children] get at one end they lose at the other."

 

[TheDustyZebra]

He must have had the morals of a donkey.

Now, I wouldn't think that donkeys were immoral, as such. Stubborn, irritating, and occasionally downright dangerous*, but immoral?

Now I'm going to have to look up this Schnitzler fellow, thanks so much.

*One would have to conjure up the picture of my father trying to ride downhill on a donkey that had other ideas about having someone on his back, and ending up as a combination hat/blindfold over said donkey's head. Which complicated the matter further, of course.

 

[digs]

Now, I wouldn't think that donkeys were immoral, as such. Stubborn, irritating, and occasionally downright dangerous*, but immoral?

Waaaaait a second...isn't a donkey just a dusty zebra?

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Eeeeek!

If that's the case, I can definitely swear that they are stubborn, irritating, and occasionally downright dangerous, but not immoral, as such.

 

[Parson]

Parson:
-- the naughty step is a relative recent introduction into English. If a child is misbehaving, the modern thought is not to wallop them on the backside** but to make them sit down somewhere quiet, very often the bottom step of the stairs, and ignore them (on the basis, I imagine, that the misbehaviour is attention-seeking)

Ah! My wife, a day care provider calls this "time out." My children more often had the hand of knowledge applied to the seat of wisdom.

-- "twig" is an informal synonym for realise/understand/comprehend
** to paraphrase Samuel Johnson -- there is less walloping than formerly "but then less is learned... so that what the [children] get at one end they lose at the other."

Okay, but where on earth is the genesis for that bit of local parlance?

 

[J Riff]

Right off I figured the naughty step probably= the dunce cap.
But twigged?
to twig (colloquial) to realise something; to 'catch on'.
Etymology
(Verb) From Irish tuigim , meaning I understand

Tuigim?

 

[Moonbat]

I have finally posted
I found the word limit really constrictive this month. I think its because I really wanted to ensure I got my idea across, and there were lots of phrases that would have helped/improved it, but alas 75 is the limit and so 75 is all I get.

 

[Parson]

Tuigim = twigged -------------- English thou art forever changing and stealing thy neighbor's words.

Moonbat -- I had to read that story 4 times until I started to understand it. I'm still not sure I've twigged it.