It’s interesting how, when reading Calvin and Hobbes, each of us hears — or doesn’t hear — something a little bit different. When Calvin’s parents speak, some of us hear examples of good parenting. Others hear things that may remind them of their own abusive parents. When Calvin speaks, some of us hear an obnoxious kid who picks on Susie and doesn’t like to do his homework. Others hear a highly energetic and intelligent kid with a tremendous imagination, who doesn’t fit into the “normal” world.In Calvin, some of us see kids that we have disliked in our own lives. Others see kids that we have deeply loved. Some of us see our own children or grandchildren in Calvin, and some of us see ourselves.In the strip itself, when Hobbes speaks, only Calvin can hear him — Calvin and the readers, that is. Personally, when Hobbes speaks, I hear myself. But what’s in a name?
Hobbes, from last night I’ll say I have to agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing remakes of more of the classic TV shows and movies. But I still tend to favor the original releases.
Don’t you mean, “it can be heard only by ugly cretins.” How else can one recognize a whistle sound, if not by hearing? To say, “it can only be heard by ugly cretins” is to say the whistle can be recognized in other ways than by hearing. No wonder American English is becoming so inexact.
…and if it said, “It can be heard by ugly cretins only”, it would mean that good-looking cretins couldn’t hear it, or that ugly anything other than cretins couldn’t hear it. :o)
Enjoying an angelic dream wherein you are completely liberated from slavery of ANY kind, for all time — only to have to get up for school (or work) that morning is like having picked all the winning Lottery numbers on your Lotto ticket; except that it turns out to be LAST week’s ticket! Oh, well. It is better to feel free for a few minutes, than to never feel free at all!
ratlum about 11 years ago
Calvin you should have thought this out,now you cant go outside.
rentier about 11 years ago
All have heard it!
legaleagle48 about 11 years ago
It wasn’t Moe — Moe would have gotten him right then and there. My money’s on Susie!
watmiwori about 11 years ago
“Ugly cretin” pretty accurately describes Moe. Still, I wouldn’t rule Susie out.
cloudy now about 11 years ago
So much about Twitter?
einarbt about 11 years ago
Enjoy the victory Calvin.
Aaron Saltzer about 11 years ago
Calvin’s such a nice little boy sarcasm.
ziphobia about 11 years ago
Would a dog hear it? Can’t still figure how their whistles work.
Phapada about 11 years ago
I’ll get you at recess…. who said ?
Troglodyte about 11 years ago
Calvin, you blew your chances there!
thirdguy about 11 years ago
Calvin needs to read the book, “How to win friends and influence people”.
basie.mynhardt about 11 years ago
Don’t you also hear the whistle, Cal ?
Hobbes Premium Member about 11 years ago
I think that’s probably the voice of Ronald. Here’s a strip from two years earlier:Click here: Calvin and Hobbes (March 15, 1991)
Hobbes Premium Member about 11 years ago
Click here: Peanuts (June 11, 1956)Click here: Peanuts (September 29, 1955)
Hobbes Premium Member about 11 years ago
It’s interesting how, when reading Calvin and Hobbes, each of us hears — or doesn’t hear — something a little bit different. When Calvin’s parents speak, some of us hear examples of good parenting. Others hear things that may remind them of their own abusive parents. When Calvin speaks, some of us hear an obnoxious kid who picks on Susie and doesn’t like to do his homework. Others hear a highly energetic and intelligent kid with a tremendous imagination, who doesn’t fit into the “normal” world.In Calvin, some of us see kids that we have disliked in our own lives. Others see kids that we have deeply loved. Some of us see our own children or grandchildren in Calvin, and some of us see ourselves.In the strip itself, when Hobbes speaks, only Calvin can hear him — Calvin and the readers, that is. Personally, when Hobbes speaks, I hear myself. But what’s in a name?
RRBUFF about 11 years ago
It couldn’t be Moe… He doesn’t know what the word “cretin” means!!!
GROG Premium Member about 11 years ago
And we wonder why Calvin has no friends.
GROG Premium Member about 11 years ago
Hobbes, from last night I’ll say I have to agree. I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing remakes of more of the classic TV shows and movies. But I still tend to favor the original releases.
Burnside217 about 11 years ago
Mr. Watterson was ahead of his time.
Say What? Premium Member about 11 years ago
It couldn’t have been Moe who replied. He speaks in all-lowercase letters.
moronbis about 11 years ago
@Burnside217, Mr. Watterson is ahead of our time.
Pelahnar about 11 years ago
Not Miss Wormwood, I think. “I’ll get you at recess” from a teacher? Doubtful.
kakarrot62 about 11 years ago
that wasnt susie talking to calvin. IT WAS THE TEACHER. BAM! HE’S GONNA GET IT!
merbrat about 11 years ago
Not Moe, as he speaks in lower case letters.
ms-ss about 11 years ago
ziphobia—dog whistles really don’t do anything. The makers have just convinced people they do.
yimhere about 11 years ago
Sounds like a future CEO ……
dflak about 11 years ago
At first I thought it was Moe, but I’m not sure Moe knows what an ugly Cretan is. Then again, maybe Suzie explained it to him
makemlaugh about 11 years ago
Sweet. I didn’t hear it. But what am I if I READ it?
r4tysatf39y Premium Member about 11 years ago
Don’t you mean, “it can be heard only by ugly cretins.” How else can one recognize a whistle sound, if not by hearing? To say, “it can only be heard by ugly cretins” is to say the whistle can be recognized in other ways than by hearing. No wonder American English is becoming so inexact.
Number Three about 11 years ago
Calvin really asks for it.LOL xxx
yangeldf about 11 years ago
BA-ZING!
Popeyesforearm about 11 years ago
I wondered why I couldn’t hear it!
Gafferjack about 11 years ago
Seahawks linemen heard it…..
Puddleglum2 about 11 years ago
I suppose “It’s” is understood as the subject.
Puddleglum2 about 11 years ago
…and if it said, “It can be heard by ugly cretins only”, it would mean that good-looking cretins couldn’t hear it, or that ugly anything other than cretins couldn’t hear it. :o)
BRO6164 about 11 years ago
@r4tysatf39y
“No wonder American English is becoming so inexact.”Well, twerk me with a spoon, fur shure!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Great response,I love it. If I ever used LOL,this would merit it.
bmonk about 11 years ago
The emperor still has no clothes.
rickray777 about 11 years ago
Enjoying an angelic dream wherein you are completely liberated from slavery of ANY kind, for all time — only to have to get up for school (or work) that morning is like having picked all the winning Lottery numbers on your Lotto ticket; except that it turns out to be LAST week’s ticket! Oh, well. It is better to feel free for a few minutes, than to never feel free at all!