A shawm is the double reed ancestor of the oboe, used in Europe from the 12th century through the 17th, and revived in the 20th by early music musicians. Shawms were made in different sizes and so had different ranges, from very low in pitch to very high. By the 14th century it was also referred to as a hoboy, and in the 15th c., hautbois, “high wood.” That name was transferred to the true oboe when it was invented in the 17th c.—not that I expect any of you would confuse the two. Pogo Possum at times played an instrument (vaguely) resembling a shawm—or possibly an early oboe, which went right along with the confusion that was so much a part of that cartoon. Research has not yet shown if Mr. Walt Kelly knew the difference, anyway. See, exempli gratia, the Sunday strip of Dec. 26, 1971, https://static0DOTcbrimagesDOTcom/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pogo-christmas-11DOTjpg
JLChi 11 months ago
Hmmm, wonder who it could have been?
The picture looks familiar. Shawm, any guesses who it was?
I love the parent being a vet!
FreyjaRN Premium Member 11 months ago
It must have been Shawm.
stairsteppublishing 11 months ago
LaVa’s drawing certainly is a broad hint as to it must have been. Shawm?
saylorgirl 11 months ago
Shawm is the big news in their household.
DeerOrchid Premium Member 11 months ago
That’s hilarious. Perfect.
nancyb creator 11 months ago
The twins’ biography is now on the Characters page.
markkahler52 11 months ago
He knows where you’ve been!!
TekoaMT 11 months ago
Shawm! Oh, Shawm…Way to leave an impression.
ddjg 11 months ago
A shawm is the double reed ancestor of the oboe, used in Europe from the 12th century through the 17th, and revived in the 20th by early music musicians. Shawms were made in different sizes and so had different ranges, from very low in pitch to very high. By the 14th century it was also referred to as a hoboy, and in the 15th c., hautbois, “high wood.” That name was transferred to the true oboe when it was invented in the 17th c.—not that I expect any of you would confuse the two. Pogo Possum at times played an instrument (vaguely) resembling a shawm—or possibly an early oboe, which went right along with the confusion that was so much a part of that cartoon. Research has not yet shown if Mr. Walt Kelly knew the difference, anyway. See, exempli gratia, the Sunday strip of Dec. 26, 1971, https://static0DOTcbrimagesDOTcom/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pogo-christmas-11DOTjpg
ladykat 11 months ago
Shawm’s veterinarian, perhaps?
meadowmarya 11 months ago
Great story line!
slelareader 11 months ago
Small world, isn’t it?
christineracine77 11 months ago
I wonder how Shawm will feel about Kate fraternizing with the enemy’s children . . .
Just-me 11 months ago
Rut Rho. Could he possibly be referring to Shawm?
kinich79 11 months ago
Oh, oh! Poor Shawm has just been exposed!
tammyspeakslife Premium Member 11 months ago
The 3rd panel says volumes.
darcyandsimon 11 months ago
Good likeness of Shawm, there!
GSD Mom Premium Member 11 months ago
LOL! Poor Shawm – he’s never going to live this down.
Mike Baldwin creator 11 months ago
You want to see the security footage!
davewhamond creator 11 months ago
Oooo, a twist! (which is what Shawm was doing trying to get away from the vet)
vlbrown Premium Member 11 months ago
Uh oh
StephenRice 11 months ago
Time to withdraw in shame. (Bag over head optional but recommended.)
Aladar30 Premium Member 11 months ago
What amazing coincidence!
nancyb creator 11 months ago
Once again, folks, the server does not always send me your comments, and so I answer them rather late. Thank you for enjoying the strip.
NyahNyahNyah 9 months ago
OOOOOOHHHHH! I just got it! (I had to come back and look a second time at the comic)
Barbara (aka Lava) drew a pic of the problem their mother had to deal with, and it’s Shaum!