1632: Palindrome - Revision history

47.54.157.174: Replaced dead link with archive.org link

2026-03-25T01:03:20Z

Replaced dead link with archive.org link

FaviFake: /* Explanation */

2025-06-19T08:27:37Z

‎Explanation

FaviFake at 08:24, 19 June 2025

2025-06-19T08:24:44Z

FaviFake: /* Explanation */

2025-06-19T08:23:58Z

‎Explanation

FaviFake at 08:22, 19 June 2025

2025-06-19T08:22:12Z

FaviFake: /* Explanation */

2025-06-19T08:21:59Z

‎Explanation

FaviFake: /* The Palindrome */

2025-06-19T08:21:48Z

‎The Palindrome

FaviFake: /* The Palindrome */

2025-06-19T08:21:35Z

‎The Palindrome

FaviFake: /* Trivia */ broken link

2025-06-19T08:21:11Z

‎Trivia: broken link

FaviFake: /* The Palindrome */

2025-06-19T08:19:30Z

‎The Palindrome

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Explanation==
-A {{w|palindrome}} is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same whether you read forwards or backwards, like ''race car''. Usually, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are ignored. This comic is based on the famous palindrome: "A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama", devised by {{w|Leigh Mercer}}, which references the construction of the {{w|Panama Canal}} and is the first mentioned on the Wikipedia page for palindromes [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palindrome&oldid=700753837 at the time] this comic was released. [[Megan]] recites a much longer palindrome for [[Cueball]]. This palindrome is based on the original, posted in [http://www.talking-time.net/showthread.php?p=1370627#post1370627 a forum thread] more than three years prior to the release of this comic. Randall's is much less logical and manages to refer to "anal Panama". Notably, in the original version, there was an additional comma before the word "tables", making it a separate item in the list from "God's 'Nam". Due to its list-like structure, the Panama palindrome is easily extensible by adding additional [http://www2.vo.lu/homepages/phahn/anagrams/panama.htm noun phrases], and some of these extensions lay claim to being "[http://norvig.com/pal17txt.html The Longest Palindrome Ever]".
+A {{w|palindrome}} is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same whether you read forwards or backwards, like ''race car''. Usually, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are ignored. This comic is based on the famous palindrome: "A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama", devised by {{w|Leigh Mercer}}, which references the construction of the {{w|Panama Canal}} and is the first mentioned on the Wikipedia page for palindromes [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palindrome&oldid=700753837 at the time] this comic was released. [[Megan]] recites a much longer palindrome for [[Cueball]]. This palindrome is based on the original, posted in [https://web.archive.org/web/20190415222401/https://www.talking-time.net/showthread.php?p=1370627#post1370627 a forum thread] more than three years prior to the release of this comic. Randall's is much less logical and manages to refer to "anal Panama". Notably, in the original version, there was an additional comma before the word "tables", making it a separate item in the list from "God's 'Nam". Due to its list-like structure, the Panama palindrome is easily extensible by adding additional [http://www2.vo.lu/homepages/phahn/anagrams/panama.htm noun phrases], and some of these extensions lay claim to being "[http://norvig.com/pal17txt.html The Longest Palindrome Ever]".
 The title text references the maximum size of ships that can fit through the Panama Canal, which is {{w|Panamax}}. [[Randall]] would really enjoy if this was the last option (i.e. biggest size) on a {{w|drop-down menu}} on a {{w|sex toy}} site. For instance such a site could have a banner saying; "If you have a ''Panama Anus'', then try our ''Panamax {{w|Butt plug}}''".

@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ==Explanation==
-A {{w|palindrome}} is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same whether you read forwards or backwards, like ''race car''. Normally capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are ignored. This comic is based on the famous palindrome: "A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama", devised by {{w|Leigh Mercer}}, which references the construction of the {{w|Panama Canal}} and is the first mentioned on the Wikipedia page for palindromes [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palindrome&oldid=700753837 at the time] this comic was released. [[Megan]] recites a much longer palindrome for [[Cueball]]. This palindrome is based on the original, and was posted in this [http://www.talking-time.net/showthread.php?p=1370627#post1370627 forum thread] more than three years before the release of this comic. It is much less logical, and manages to refer to "anal Panama" (which then refers to the title text and sex toys, see below).
+A {{w|palindrome}} is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same whether you read forwards or backwards, like ''race car''. Usually, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are ignored. This comic is based on the famous palindrome: "A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama", devised by {{w|Leigh Mercer}}, which references the construction of the {{w|Panama Canal}} and is the first mentioned on the Wikipedia page for palindromes [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palindrome&oldid=700753837 at the time] this comic was released. [[Megan]] recites a much longer palindrome for [[Cueball]]. This palindrome is based on the original, posted in [http://www.talking-time.net/showthread.php?p=1370627#post1370627 a forum thread] more than three years prior to the release of this comic. Randall's is much less logical and manages to refer to "anal Panama". Notably, in the original version, there was an additional comma before the word "tables", making it a separate item in the list from "God's 'Nam". Due to its list-like structure, the Panama palindrome is easily extensible by adding additional [http://www2.vo.lu/homepages/phahn/anagrams/panama.htm noun phrases], and some of these extensions lay claim to being "[http://norvig.com/pal17txt.html The Longest Palindrome Ever]".
 The title text references the maximum size of ships that can fit through the Panama Canal, which is {{w|Panamax}}. [[Randall]] would really enjoy if this was the last option (i.e. biggest size) on a {{w|drop-down menu}} on a {{w|sex toy}} site. For instance such a site could have a banner saying; "If you have a ''Panama Anus'', then try our ''Panamax {{w|Butt plug}}''".
@@ Line 65: / Line 63: @@
 ::''Look out!''
 ::Spiders in both oceans.
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 The title text references the maximum size of ships that can fit through the Panama Canal, which is {{w|Panamax}}. [[Randall]] would really enjoy if this was the last option (i.e. biggest size) on a {{w|drop-down menu}} on a {{w|sex toy}} site. For instance such a site could have a banner saying; "If you have a ''Panama Anus'', then try our ''Panamax {{w|Butt plug}}''".
-In the game [[1608: Hoverboard]], there is a reference to the palindrome and the Panama Canal with the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1026x1073y_Ruins_with_Cueball_singing_of_Spiders_and_Panama.png song that Cueball sings at the ruin] to the right. The first four lines of the song is the same as in the original palindrome but with the "A " changed out with ''Spider-'', and then also Spider in front of Panama:
+The original palindrome is as follows:
 :A man, a plan, a God's 'Nam tables, nitrate, tar, tinsel, Batman's dog: Anal Panama.
@@ Line 66: / Line 52: @@
 : It relates to {{w|anus}}. Searching for "Anal Panama" will return links to pages with {{w|porn}}. This is because the most used form of ''Anal'' is in regard to {{w|Anal Sex}} which is often used in porn. (It is not long since another xkcd comic referred directly to porn - see [[1629: Tools]]).
 ==Transcript==

@@ Line 10: / Line 10: @@
 A {{w|palindrome}} is a word, phrase, or sentence that reads the same whether you read forwards or backwards, like ''race car''. Normally capitalization, spacing, and punctuation are ignored. This comic is based on the famous palindrome: "A Man, A Plan, A Canal: Panama", devised by {{w|Leigh Mercer}}, which references the construction of the {{w|Panama Canal}} and is the first mentioned on the Wikipedia page for palindromes [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palindrome&oldid=700753837 at the time] this comic was released. [[Megan]] recites a much longer palindrome for [[Cueball]]. This palindrome is based on the original, and was posted in this [http://www.talking-time.net/showthread.php?p=1370627#post1370627 forum thread] more than three years before the release of this comic. It is much less logical, and manages to refer to "anal Panama" (which then refers to the title text and sex toys, see below).
-[http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nam 'Nam] is an apheresis of Vietnam. See more explanation of the words in the palindrome in the [[#Trivia|Trivia]] section. Note that in the original version from the link above there was a comma before tables so it is two items in the list: God's 'Nam, tables, etc. Due to its list like structure, the Panama palindrome is easily extensible by adding additional [http://www2.vo.lu/homepages/phahn/anagrams/panama.htm noun phrases], and some of these extensions lay claim to being "[http://norvig.com/pal17txt.html The Longest Palindrome Ever]".
+[https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nam 'Nam] is an apheresis of Vietnam. See more explanation of the words in the palindrome in the [[#Trivia|Trivia]] section. Note that in the original version from the link above there was a comma before tables so it is two items in the list: God's 'Nam, tables, etc. Due to its list like structure, the Panama palindrome is easily extensible by adding additional [http://www2.vo.lu/homepages/phahn/anagrams/panama.htm noun phrases], and some of these extensions lay claim to being "[http://norvig.com/pal17txt.html The Longest Palindrome Ever]".
 The title text references the maximum size of ships that can fit through the Panama Canal, which is {{w|Panamax}}. [[Randall]] would really enjoy if this was the last option (i.e. biggest size) on a {{w|drop-down menu}} on a {{w|sex toy}} site. For instance such a site could have a banner saying; "If you have a ''Panama Anus'', then try our ''Panamax {{w|Butt plug}}''".
-In the game [[1608: Hoverboard]] there is also a reference to the palindrome and the Panama canal with the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1026x1073y_Ruins_with_Cueball_singing_of_Spiders_and_Panama.png song that Cueball sings at the ruin] to the right. The first four lines of the song is the same as in the original palindrome but with the "A " changed out with ''Spider-'', and then also Spider in front of Panama:
+In the game [[1608: Hoverboard]], there is a reference to the palindrome and the Panama Canal with the [http://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/images/0/0d/1608_1026x1073y_Ruins_with_Cueball_singing_of_Spiders_and_Panama.png song that Cueball sings at the ruin] to the right. The first four lines of the song is the same as in the original palindrome but with the "A " changed out with ''Spider-'', and then also Spider in front of Panama:
 :Cueball singing:
 ::Spider-man

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 The meaning of the sentence isn't immediately clear. It doesn't appear to be something created by Randall. The original palindrome was a list of elements that led to the choice of Panama: a man had a plan to make a canal, so he chose Panama. This new palindrome follows a similar list-like structure: a man had a plan to use the Vietnam War, nitrate, tar, and tinsel (possibly implying some kind of explosive involving Christmas decorations) and finally added Batman's dog, resulting in "Anal Panama". The words "Man", "Plan", and "Panama" are from the original palindrome. The rest of the original sentence means:
-; {{w|God|God's}} 'Nam
+; {{w|God}}'s 'Nam
 : [https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nam 'Nam] is here short for {{w|Vietnam}}; God's 'Nam would refer to a Quagmire of God's creation. (The Quagmire is a figurative name of the {{w|Vietnam War}}).

@@ Line 27: / Line 27: @@
 ::Spiders in both oceans.
-===The Palindrome===
+===The palindrome===
 The palindrome original is as follows:
 :A man, a plan, a God's 'Nam tables, nitrate, tar, tinsel, Batman's dog: Anal Panama.

@@ Line 70: / Line 70: @@
 :[Cueball and Megan are walking. She holds up her arm and hand while reciting a palindrome:]
 :Megan: A man, a plan, a God's 'Nam tables, nitrate, tar, tinsel, Batman's dog: Anal Panama.
 {{comic discussion}}

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 ===The Palindrome===
-Although it is less logical it is indeed a palindrome:
+Although it is less logical it is indeed a palindrome. The original is as follows:
-:'''Original''':
+:A man, a plan, a God's 'Nam tables, nitrate, tar, tinsel, Batman's dog: Anal Panama.
-:'''Palindrome''', i.e. original sentence reversed:
+Reversing the sentence creates the palindrome, which reads the same:
-::amanaP lanA :god s'namtaB ,lesnit ,rat ,etartin ,selbat maN' s'doG a ,nalp a ,nam A
+:amanaP lanA :god s'namtaB ,lesnit ,rat ,etartin ,selbat maN' s'doG a ,nalp a ,nam A
-:'''With no spaces''' or other punctuation and in all lowercase:
+The same sentence without spaces or other punctuation is easier to read both ways:
-::amanaplanagodsnamtablesnitratetartinselbatmansdoganalpanama
+:amanaplanagodsnamtablesnitratetartinselbatmansdoganalpanama
-*The '''meaning of the words''':
+The meaning of the sentence isn't immediately clear. It doesn't appear to be something created by Randall. The original palindrome was a list of elements that led to the choice of Panama: a man had a plan to make a canal, so he chose Panama. This new palindrome follows a similar list-like structure: a man had a plan to use the Vietnam War, nitrate, tar, and tinsel (possibly implying some kind of explosive involving Christmas decorations) and finally added Batman's dog, resulting in "Anal Panama". The words "Man", "Plan", and "Panama" are from the original palindrome. The rest of the original sentence means:
-**These words are from the original palindrome: Man, Plan and Panama
-**But what about the rest, taking the original with the "," as mentioned above:
+; {{w|God|God's}} 'Nam
-***{{w|God|God's}} 'Nam - [http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nam 'Nam] is here short for {{w|Vietnam}}; God's 'Nam would refer to a Quagmire of God's creation. (The Quagmire is a figurative name of the {{w|Vietnam War}}).
-***{{w|Tables}} - can either be a piece of furniture or a data table.
+: [https://dictionary.reference.com/browse/nam 'Nam] is here short for {{w|Vietnam}}; God's 'Nam would refer to a Quagmire of God's creation. (The Quagmire is a figurative name of the {{w|Vietnam War}}).
-***{{w|Nitrate}} - a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> that are mainly produced for use as fertilizers in agriculture. But as an oxidizing agents it can be used to create explosives where the rapid oxidation of carbon compounds liberates large volumes of gases.  Given the end of the sentence it could also be a reference to {{w|Amyl nitrite}}, for which notable side effects includes "relaxation of involuntary muscles, especially the blood vessel walls and the internal and external anal sphincter."
-***{{w|Tar}} - is a black mixture of hydrocarbons and free carbon. Originally referred primarily to a substance derived from the wood and roots of pine. But it has also been used in {{w|Tar#Definition|other contexts}}. For instance naturally occurring "{{w|tar pits}}", actually contain {{w|asphalt}} rather than tar.
+; {{w|Tables}}
-***{{w|Tinsel}} - Tinsel, is a type of decorative material that mimics the effect of ice, consisting of thin strips of sparkling material attached to a thread. When in long narrow strips not attached to thread, it is called "lametta", and emulates icicles. It was originally a metallic garland for Christmas decoration. The modern production of tinsel typically involves plastic, and is used particularly to decorate Christmas trees.
-***{{w|Ace the Bat-Hound|Batman's dog}} - Ace the Bat-Hound was the canine crime-fighting partner of {{w|Batman}} and {{w|Robin (comics)|Robin}} in DC Comics of the 1950s and 1960s.
+: This can either mean a piece of furniture or a data table.
-***{{w|Anal}} - relates to {{w|anus}}. Searching for "Anal Panama" will return links to pages with {{w|porn}}. This is because the most used form of ''Anal'' is in regard to {{w|Anal Sex}} which is often used in porn. (It is not long since another xkcd comic referred directly to porn - see [[1629: Tools]]).
-*The '''meaning of the sentence''':
+; {{w|Nitrate}}
-**There are no obvious meaning of this palindrome.
-**It seems it is not of Randall's device.
+: A polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO<sub>3</sub><sup>−</sup> that are mainly produced for use as fertilizers in agriculture. But as an oxidizing agents it can be used to create explosives where the rapid oxidation of carbon compounds liberates large volumes of gases.  Given the end of the sentence it could also be a reference to {{w|Amyl nitrite}}, for which notable side effects includes "relaxation of involuntary muscles, especially the blood vessel walls and the internal and external anal sphincter."
-**The original palindrome was also a list of things that led to choosing Panama.
-***A man had a plan to make a canal. He chose Panama.
+; {{w|Tar}}
-**This one is also in list form:
-***A man had a plan to use the Vietnam war with nitrate, tar and tinsel (maybe some kind of explosives with Christmas decorations), finally adding Batman's dog to get Anal Panama.
+: Tar is a black mixture of hydrocarbons and free carbon. Originally referred primarily to a substance derived from the wood and roots of pine. But it has also been used in {{w|Tar#Definition|other contexts}}. For instance naturally occurring "{{w|tar pits}}", actually contain {{w|asphalt}} rather than tar.
 ==Transcript==