Today’s classic A&J comes from less than a year ago, but I’m showing it to you again, because it relates to our conversation about subtlety. To wit, sometimes I am to blame! I admit it. The above cartoon probably would have worked better for most of us if I had used the word “mundane” instead of “quotidian.” The words are virtually synonymous, and more people probably are familiar wit the former. However, I’m human! I learn a great new word like “quotidian” and I have to use it. My old journalism professors warned us about that, but I wouldn’t listen.
135 responses to “Quotidian Marks”
Heed not the professors, the world needs to be less quotidain.
Jimmy go on being subtle and quirky and all you are.
Forgot to say my journalism teachers used some comparable education level of third or sixth grade education level too. The readership of A and J is far above that. Unless we are faking it.
We need to exercise our brains with “words less used” Quotidain is a good one!
Erudition is hard to fake.
This was not subtle. I remember looking up Quotidain in the dictionary after this came out and got it. I think that I may have even posted that this is what I love about A&J in that I actually learn something. If anyone questions me about reading the “funnies”, I could tell them that this just helps me to escape the Quotidain!
I just went to the comments from October 7th and I guess that I did not comment about learning something then, but I know that I have in the past. I did see a lot of post from a certain imaginary friend who no longer posts here.
” My old journalism professors warned us about that, but I wouldn’t listen. ”
Reinforcing the adage, “Those who can’t do, teach.”
Day off today, sort of. Morning physician appointments for my Mom, an afternoon class for me.
Jackie, your mention of third and sixth grade levels reminded me of when I watched more TV news than I do now (and more than was good for my peace of mind). I tried to watch a range of commentators, and there was one on MSNBC whose delivery style could only be described as that of a third grade teacher. She spoke very slowly and distinctly. She used too many graphics. She repeated herself, a lot. In other words, she lectured, and on a grade school level.
She may have had good reason to believe her audience was comprised of eight- and nine-year-olds, but I was not one of them. To me, she was unwatchable.
GR6 said: “To me, she was unwatchable.” Apparently not all pretty female TV faces are equal to our connoisseur of women.
but people should be able to get that from context. .. ..I find myself having to look something up every time I watch Archer, pretty highbrow for a cartoon. … … up top makes me think of what I’m going through now after wife died, going through every drawer and cabinet and closet – so that’s where everything is ! what is all this stuff ? did we, will I ever use it ?
I just had to look it up too …. guess I missed it the first time around. Not too old to learn new words! Thanks !
I don’t think the quotidian reference was excessively obscure. I would argue that it isn’t directly equal to mundane. Mundane implies ordinary or even banal. Quotidian is more of a reference to frequency (daily). Here’s an example: My dialysis treatments were quotidian, but never mundane. I did them every day, but they were never banal or even common.
Me, I just go “Damx, that man had a lot of stuff!” And I have not gotten to the Boat Palace or the annex yet. My stone mason and his wife say he is set for next ten years in clothes. Wait until I start unloading my clothes to her!
Ghost, I am still in Fort Lauderdale but getting off up coast. You are safe on your day off. Hey the new smaller bra fits perfectly which is only good news if you’re already top heavy.
Seriously is any one else trying to lose pounds?
Now Jimmy, how many comic strips elicit this kind of vocabulary lesson? And no one has to go to the giant unabridged dictionary at the library anymore, we just use the Google and are edified!
A&J isn’t for those that don’t understand it. 🙂
“Humdrum.” “Pedestrian.” Two words that might be found on A&J or in the Village but would never describe either.
Jackie, is it one of Vickie’s Secrets? Inquiring minds and febrile imaginations want to know.
Knew you’d ask, Ghost. Just a simple thin flesh color lycra sports bra size 42 I think under a similar sports tee with “Carpe Diem ” and mermaid on back and the octopus on skull logo. I noticed neither fabric blocks your “pokies”. Hope I entertain yall a little!
“Little” wasn’t the word that came to mind, Jackie. 😉
Does anyone else wonder if Gene’s pickup truck is based on Super Truck?
That’s great news on the colonoscopy, cep! I bet you feel like you’re floating on air now that you have the results!
John in Richmond, most women, if gently questioned, would admit that we use only about 30% of the household items we have. Partly, it’s a nesting instinct. I think it’s also frugality for some of us: to save every citrus reamer, sundae glass, pillowcase, knick-knack, and dustrag against the time we may need it. It’s also a way of providing for those we leave behind…each item is an “I love you” and a way of making sure we’re still taking care of their needs. When my Grandmother passed away, her son who lived with her found a stash of new bath towels. He exclaimed in disbelief, “We had these, and I’ve been drying myself on towels so thin I could read the newspaper though them?!?!?”
No, Ghost, I haven’t…but I have reflected upon the changes in Meg as she is growing up.
Thank you, Denise, for a logical explanation for our accumulation of “things”!
One of the differences between the Village and TDS: If we do not understand something, we look it up; TDS usually just gets snarky!
Is it poor coloring or is Meg wearing a yarmulke?
Cartoon boob – boob: http://boingboing.net/2015/03/17/nation-in-uproar-after-cartoon.html#more-373130 causes Nickelodean an upset tummy.