Editing 2919: Sitting in a Tree
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | “[Name] and [name], sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G” | + | {{incomplete|Created by a PAIR OF BOTS SITTING IN A TREE E-D-I-T-I-N-G - ♫First come comments, ♫Then these made neat, ♫But ONLY when it's accurate, then should you the tag delete!♫}} |
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+ | “[Name] and [name], sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G” is the start of a common US schoolyard taunt to tease others about their alleged romance. As the comic notes, there are a range of normal seven-letter gerunds - nouns made by ending a verb in “ing" - that may be used in the rhyme. | ||
Like other schoolyard taunts, the goal may be to elicit a reaction of frustration, anger or embarrassment. It may also just be chanted at a random set of two kids, such as part of a {{w|counting-out game}}. | Like other schoolyard taunts, the goal may be to elicit a reaction of frustration, anger or embarrassment. It may also just be chanted at a random set of two kids, such as part of a {{w|counting-out game}}. | ||
− | This comic lists a | + | This comic lists a variety of seven-letter gerunds which Cueball and Megan could be accused of performing in a tree, and organizes them into three categories: Normal, Slightly Worrying and Very Alarming. Each list of gerunds has an illustration of its last one: kissing, ironing and smiting, respectively. |
Normal: | Normal: | ||
− | : | + | :{{w|Reading|'''Reading'''}} |
− | + | :{{w|Singing|'''Singing'''}} | |
− | + | :{{w|Playing|'''Playing'''}} | |
− | + | :{{w|Sharing|'''Sharing'''}} | |
− | + | :{{w|Hugging|'''Hugging'''}} | |
− | : | + | :{{w|Kissing|'''Kissing'''}} |
Slightly worrying: | Slightly worrying: | ||
− | : | + | :{{w|Sobbing|'''Sobbing'''}} is an act of crying or weeping, e.g. due to a setback in one's relationship. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Itching|'''Itching'''}} is feeling a sensation on one's skin that makes one want to scratch or rub it, and may happen due to mosquito bites or other bugs. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Pruning|'''Pruning'''}} is cutting off the branches of a tree, which is very dangerous if one is sitting on said branch.{{Citation needed}} |
− | : | + | :{{w|Banking|'''Banking'''}} is conducting financial business with a bank. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Post#Communications|'''Posting'''}} is to publish posts on social media, which is probably what most teens do when they're together nowadays.{{Citation needed}} This might also refer to {{w|Mail|mailing}} by using a postal service. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Ironing|'''Ironing'''}} is smoothing their clothes with an iron and ironing board. This is the activity illustrated in the panel. |
Very alarming: | Very alarming: | ||
− | : | + | :{{w|Molting|'''Molting'''}} is shedding one's skin. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Whaling|'''Whaling'''}} is hunting whales, which has been outlawed since the 1980s. Whales aren't usually found in trees.<sup>[''{{w|List of cetaceans|cetacean needed}}'']</sup> |
− | : | + | :{{w|E-filing|'''E-filing'''}}, not to be confused with defiling, is submitting one's tax returns online. This comic was published a few days before the US tax deadline. This could quite reasonably be done from a tree using a laptop or other portable computing device. |
− | : | + | :{{w|Melting|'''Melting'''}} is turning from a solid state to a liquid state, which is usually fatal.{{Citation needed}} |
− | : | + | :{{w|Radiography|'''X-raying'''}} is emitting or receiving {{w|X-ray}} radiation. With enough radiation, the X-rays could be fatal. |
− | : | + | :[https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/smite#English '''Smiting'''] is striking down their enemies with the divine power called from a god. This is the activity illustrated in the panel. |
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− | The | + | The title text parodies a traditional {{w|Children's song#Game songs|continuation of the chant}}, which is normally something like |
+ | "...first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage" (which reflects the common social expectations that any kissers might follow the path of), but instead appears to be a more dark prophecy about death that therefore probably befits the last frame's focus. The last line may be an allusion to the Emily Dickinson poem "[https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47652/because-i-could-not-stop-for-death-479 Because I Could Not Stop For Death]", which refers both to Death riding in a carriage and to eternity. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
+ | [[Category:Language]] | ||
+ | [[Category:Kids]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Jill]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Jill]] | ||
− | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]] |
[[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
[[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
[[Category:Songs]] | [[Category:Songs]] | ||
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