Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Cultural references

Humor is hard to understand if one doesn't get the cultural references: For example, I once found a Hindu friend watching the old TV show "HeeHaw" and not laughing, and said she was trying to understand the jokes.

Just the name "Hee Haw" has a double meaning: the noise of laughter, and the noise of a donkey. But donkeys are stupid, so it also means you are making fun of the stupid people in the comedy sketches.

In the past, most Americans knew the cultural references that came from Shakespeare and the Bible.

But now, do they study these things? My granddaughter at her uberelite Canadian high school did not read shakespeare or Dickens or Homer, but modern books that were read for the political overtones

Catholics always opposed the daily bible reading in public schools, but the censorship of biblical stories means that often one has to use movies as a reference instead.

An example of a Biblical joke from the BabylonBee via Instapundit:

NEVER LOOK BACK: White Girl Turned Into Pillar Of Pumpkin Spice After Looking Back At Starbucks.

this is only funny if you know the story of Lot's wife, who turned back to look at Sodom being destroyed and turned into a pillar of salt, with the modern reference to Pumpkin spice coffee, which is a big thing but only served during the autumn at Starbucks etc.
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Here is a more modern reference, which I suspect will be missed by the younger generation:

from PJMedia on the shoddy "news" "reporting" by the NYTimes about a vague rumor being used to smear a conservative Supreme court justice:


Howard Kurtz called the piece a "train wreck," noting that the allegation was based on nothing more than "one second-hand source," whom they never even spoke with directly. Instead, they heard it "from two unnamed 'officials' who had spoken to him." In other words, "My best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl who saw Brett whip out his penis at 31 Flavors last night. I guess it's pretty serious."
that is a Ferris Bueller reference:



as for the accusation: not only are there no witnesses, but one wonders if all those SJW who hyperventillated over this were ever 19 years old and got a bit naked. Woodstock, anyone?
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the anti Trump protesters plan to ridicule him with both the Trump baby and the Trump chicken baloons.

but one wonders why the PC multiculturalist types in San Francisco were not aware that the latter balloon could be interpreted, not as a "chicken" i.e. "coward", but as "Trump rooster": which here in East Asia, has a completely different connotation: because cockfighting is a very popular sport, and believe me, you don't want to mess with a fighting cock/rooster.

The "Trump Chicken/Rooster" balloon meme started when a Chinese mall had one of these balloons outside to celebrate the Chinese new year of the Fire Chicken.
The Fire Rooster is an extremely strong-willed and proactive person...  The Fire Rooster is able to handle big tasks very well and is very good at multi-tasking. ... The Rooster has a flamboyant and colourful personality and is thorough in all they do. They are always organized and like to plan their various activities well in advance. They are usually highly intelligent and very well read with a good sense of humour They love discussion and enjoy taking part in debates. They have no hesitation in saying what is on their mind. 
hmm... sounds about right. 

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in unrelated news, Newsweek prints this 20+ year old accusation:
Donald Trump Stole Pancakes and Forgot a Relative Was Dead While Visiting Family, Cousin Claims
Yes, an impeachable offense.

On the other hand, it doesn't pass the "smell" test: as Trump pointed out when they accused him of a lewd action in Moscow: He is a clean freak.

One doubts he would put cold, greasy pancakes (unlike scones, Pancakes are fried in oil or butter) into his suit pocket unless they were cleanly wrapped in plastic.

so probably not true, and even if it is true, it's not big news.
and then the experts wonder why trust in the MSM is at an all time low...

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