I remember some teacher in my youth asking me to look up the word nemonia and read the class the definition. Yeah, I know …now. P nemonia! Smart azz teacher.
Today’s cartoon solves a great mystery. Now we know where Calvin gets his great vocabulary. He just calls the librarian and asks her for a big, long word that describes several small ones.
Was this really ever a thing? Calling up the reference desk and asking what a word meant? I know you had fewer options before the Internet (especially since respectable dictionaries weren’t likely to include obscenities) but this still seems like a waste of the librarians’ time.
A kid came into the library where I worked 50 years ago with the assignment to find out what SNAFU is short for. The librarian pointed out where he could look it up, but knew better than to spell it out herself.
I’m a strong supporter and user of my local public library and have been for over 70 years, and through moves to four different states. After my latest move, however, I found that the local library charges for parking. While I won’t stop utilizing them, I will not vote in support of their tax levies.
I like the strip, but as a librarian in reality what they would do is work with Calvin to help come up with the word even if he can’t say it, and to give the dictionary definition.
A law library in Florida received a telephone query from an old lady who wanted the definition of a word. The librarian was out, so the clerk took the call, and the old lady couldn’t bring herself to tell him the word. Finally, the clerk managed to drag the following information out of her: it had twelve letters, the first half was “mother”, and she didn’t think the second half was very nice.
So when the librarian got back, she found a note on her desk: “A lady called and wanted the definition of the work ‘motherf***er’”.
And then, in big block letters: “NO, I’M NOT KIDDING.”
I asked my Dad once how to spell a word, it was a good one, and he told me to look it up in the dictionary, I told him I didn’t know how to spell it so how could I find it in the dictionary. He ask me if I knew the first letter, which I did, and to start with the first letter and look from there. I now suspect he didn’t know how to spell it either.
BE THIS GUY almost 3 years ago
The librarian probably said a few swear after hanging up the phone.
codycab almost 3 years ago
He really thought this would work out?
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
you don’t need to expand your vocabulary like that, Calvin
Charles Barr Premium Member almost 3 years ago
He can always ask Moe.
C almost 3 years ago
You’d think they could be more helpful
jagedlo almost 3 years ago
The question is…where did he hear this word, to begin with?
sirbadger almost 3 years ago
The next time Calvin sees some graffiti, he should ask his dad what it says.
Monster Martin (King Comic Reviewer) almost 3 years ago
Oh my god Calvin!
in.amongst almost 3 years ago
Attaboy Calvin – you swear to withhold their taxes, that should rattle them.
Susan00100 almost 3 years ago
Most swear words are very easy to spell. They’re phonetic.
Jeff0811 almost 3 years ago
For our purposes, they are all spelled the same way…, G-R-A-W-L-I-X.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member almost 3 years ago
I remember some teacher in my youth asking me to look up the word nemonia and read the class the definition. Yeah, I know …now. P nemonia! Smart azz teacher.
boydjb47 almost 3 years ago
Before Google the reference librarians would get calls from the bars to settle bets.
Jimvideo almost 3 years ago
Now you just google @#$@$#.
old_geek almost 3 years ago
A precursor to a cursor.
mckeonfuneralhomebx almost 3 years ago
He just has to watch George Carlins 7 dirtiest words you can never say on television. Circa 1972.
wiley207 almost 3 years ago
It’s been implied Calvin does know a few swear words, when playing Scrabble and Monopoly with Hobbes in a couple of Sunday strips.
Imhungry almost 3 years ago
Today’s cartoon solves a great mystery. Now we know where Calvin gets his great vocabulary. He just calls the librarian and asks her for a big, long word that describes several small ones.
flagmichael almost 3 years ago
The word must have been meshugganah. Not really a bad word, just a mild insult.
I'm Sad almost 3 years ago
I can see a future Robert Preston here working with Shirley Jones.
John Jorgensen almost 3 years ago
Was this really ever a thing? Calling up the reference desk and asking what a word meant? I know you had fewer options before the Internet (especially since respectable dictionaries weren’t likely to include obscenities) but this still seems like a waste of the librarians’ time.
mistercatworks almost 3 years ago
Librarians do get such prank calls, but they say the words. I hope this doesn’t encourage anyone to be a copy cat.
ajr58(1) almost 3 years ago
The first, and last three, words of firetruck
Jefano Premium Member almost 3 years ago
A kid came into the library where I worked 50 years ago with the assignment to find out what SNAFU is short for. The librarian pointed out where he could look it up, but knew better than to spell it out herself.
Holden Awn almost 3 years ago
I’m a strong supporter and user of my local public library and have been for over 70 years, and through moves to four different states. After my latest move, however, I found that the local library charges for parking. While I won’t stop utilizing them, I will not vote in support of their tax levies.
jkn1027 almost 3 years ago
I like the strip, but as a librarian in reality what they would do is work with Calvin to help come up with the word even if he can’t say it, and to give the dictionary definition.
mindjob almost 3 years ago
Someone should rattle his head
Scott S almost 3 years ago
Filthy English: The How, Why, When And What Of Everyday Swearing By Peter Silverton
Available on Amazon & at Barnes & Noble.
buflogal! almost 3 years ago
I remember the commotion it caused when some dictionaries started to include such words.
Stephen Gilberg almost 3 years ago
You could try to spell it. You’re literate enough that if you get it wrong, the listener should be able to figure out what you mean.
Unlike Hobbes, who spells “creek” as “crk,” which could easily be misinterpreted out of context.
phoenixnyc almost 3 years ago
A law library in Florida received a telephone query from an old lady who wanted the definition of a word. The librarian was out, so the clerk took the call, and the old lady couldn’t bring herself to tell him the word. Finally, the clerk managed to drag the following information out of her: it had twelve letters, the first half was “mother”, and she didn’t think the second half was very nice.
So when the librarian got back, she found a note on her desk: “A lady called and wanted the definition of the work ‘motherf***er’”.
And then, in big block letters: “NO, I’M NOT KIDDING.”
Bilan almost 3 years ago
Calvin has probably heard several swear words . . . behind his back.
Snolep almost 3 years ago
If the librarian complied their mom would stick a bar of Lifebuoy soap in their mouth.
Mary Ellen almost 3 years ago
Honestly, I’ve gotten weirder questions…
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 3 years ago
I asked my Dad once how to spell a word, it was a good one, and he told me to look it up in the dictionary, I told him I didn’t know how to spell it so how could I find it in the dictionary. He ask me if I knew the first letter, which I did, and to start with the first letter and look from there. I now suspect he didn’t know how to spell it either.
rgcviper almost 3 years ago
Well, son of a … monkey. Yeah—monkey.
So close, and yet so far. Good one.
-Thatguy2020 over 2 years ago
What is with Calvin and talking about adult and political stuff?