The day of Skeezix’s arrival goes like this: In the first frame, Walt wakes in bed and says, “What in blazes can anybody want – ringing my doorbell before daylight in the morning?” In the second, he has already donned his voluminous flowered robe and is squeezing into his slippers: “If Bill’s car has got stalled somewhere and he wants me to pull him out he’s out of luck!” Next, Walt is about to open his front door, and says, “And if it’s somebody’s joke I’ll show ‘em I’m hard boiled!” Finally, we see the sleeping baby in the basket on the snow-covered porch, a note saying “Walt” pinned to his blanket. With both hands, Walt holds his head, out of which flies a large, emphatic exclamation point.
Walt reminds me of two of his contemporaries, Laurel and Hardy. There’s the same innocence and good-heartedness, forever compromised by naivete. A “skeezix,” by the way, is supposedly a motherless calf, though Webster’s Third says the origin is unknown and gives “rascal” as a synonym – as in “Little Rascals” (“Our Gang”), created by Hal Roach,.as was the teaming of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. All of these products of American popular culture from the pre-Depression 1920s share a gentleness and essential simplicity and decency.
About the “Skeezix spelled backward” line… in the MAD parody, Gasoline Valley, the character is named Skizziks, and everyone goes “Skizziks spelled backward is Skizziks.” Except one kid who insists it’s spelled “Natures.”
How would you pronounce xiseeks? It doesn’t appear in the slang dictionary I consulted, either forwards or backwards.I think it’s kinda cute for a kid, but maybe not for a grown man.
AnyFace about 6 years ago
Is that so? ✨
Dirty Dragon about 6 years ago
Maybe it’s so?
The day of Skeezix’s arrival goes like this: In the first frame, Walt wakes in bed and says, “What in blazes can anybody want – ringing my doorbell before daylight in the morning?” In the second, he has already donned his voluminous flowered robe and is squeezing into his slippers: “If Bill’s car has got stalled somewhere and he wants me to pull him out he’s out of luck!” Next, Walt is about to open his front door, and says, “And if it’s somebody’s joke I’ll show ‘em I’m hard boiled!” Finally, we see the sleeping baby in the basket on the snow-covered porch, a note saying “Walt” pinned to his blanket. With both hands, Walt holds his head, out of which flies a large, emphatic exclamation point.
Walt reminds me of two of his contemporaries, Laurel and Hardy. There’s the same innocence and good-heartedness, forever compromised by naivete. A “skeezix,” by the way, is supposedly a motherless calf, though Webster’s Third says the origin is unknown and gives “rascal” as a synonym – as in “Little Rascals” (“Our Gang”), created by Hal Roach,.as was the teaming of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. All of these products of American popular culture from the pre-Depression 1920s share a gentleness and essential simplicity and decency.
http://evidenceanecdotal.blogspot.com/2006/06/skeezix.html
fuzzbucket Premium Member about 6 years ago
I thought that was a maverick.
Ignatz Premium Member about 6 years ago
Seems like a pretty mean thing to name the kid, actually.
Jan C about 6 years ago
The Urban Dictionary defines Skeezix as “Pencil necked geek”. Webster says “scamp” or “rascal”. No motherless calves anywhere I could find.
Honorable Mention In The Banjo Toss Premium Member about 6 years ago
Wasn’t there a Skeezix in the Uncle Wiggly game?
Bradley Walker about 6 years ago
About the “Skeezix spelled backward” line… in the MAD parody, Gasoline Valley, the character is named Skizziks, and everyone goes “Skizziks spelled backward is Skizziks.” Except one kid who insists it’s spelled “Natures.”
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member about 6 years ago
Bull!
marvee about 6 years ago
How would you pronounce xiseeks? It doesn’t appear in the slang dictionary I consulted, either forwards or backwards.I think it’s kinda cute for a kid, but maybe not for a grown man.