ciphergoth: (Default)
Paul Crowley ([personal profile] ciphergoth) wrote2007-02-20 12:25 pm

Hamlet fish

I think I may have to keep room in my bag for a special Hamlet Fish. A nice, big, hefty fish, specifically carried so that anyone who says either "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy" or "The lady protests too much, methinks." can get a good wet slap around the face.

Inspired by reading George Monbiot's excellent article on 9/11 conspiracy theorists and seeing the start of the first comment.

Putting my academic hat on

[identity profile] valkyriekaren.livejournal.com 2007-02-20 12:45 pm (UTC)(link)
Apart from anything else, 'protest' doesn't mean 'complain against' in that context. It means more like 'overstate the case' or 'claim extravagantly'. As in 'protestation of affection'.

Can I also have a MacbethFish for people who say 'Lead on, McDuff' (it's 'Lay on, McDuff' anyway, and it doesn't mean 'come on me old mucka Duffy, let's get moving'), and a JulietFish for 'Wherefore art thou...' when they mean 'where', not 'why'?



[identity profile] just-becky.livejournal.com 2007-02-20 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
My response to misquoted or incongruous insertion of "notable quotes" is to smile at the person and say "Oooh I like that soliloquy please continue". But Fish+head interaction is far more succinct. :-D

I'd like to aquire a "logic fish" for those conspiracy theorists who say things like "You cant trust the media, its all government owned, I know cos I saw this programme all about it on TV last night".

[identity profile] drdoug.livejournal.com 2007-02-20 09:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps your Hamlet Fish could be a companion to the Monty Python Rubber Chicken, specifically carried for use in objecting to the overuse of cliched tropes from three-decades old surreal sketch shows ... *grin*

[identity profile] drdoug.livejournal.com 2007-02-20 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
(It is a very good sketch, mind. But then Hamlet is a very good play.)

[identity profile] elfy.livejournal.com 2007-02-21 11:17 am (UTC)(link)
slightly unrelated: i found and added you :) just so you know.
sad i couldn't make it to the bicon taster, but maybe there is another chance to meet before i leave the uk.