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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
− | This | + | This, the second [[:Category:Christmas|Christmas comic]] in a row, provides some dubious "Facts" and "Figures" of the creature known as "Santa". We can see from the drawing that this is obviously meant to be either {{w|Santa Claus}} or a parody of Santa Claus. |
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This comic is reminiscent of the [[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd Phones series]]. | This comic is reminiscent of the [[:Category:xkcd Phones|xkcd Phones series]]. | ||
'''Type: Flying/Psychic''' | '''Type: Flying/Psychic''' | ||
− | :A reference to {{w|Pokémon}}. The {{w|Gameplay_of_Pokémon#Pok%C3%A9mon_types|type}} of a Pokémon describes and determines its abilities (including attacks), affinities, and general nature. In most stories Santa Claus rides a sled pulled by flying reindeer (all other [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flying_(type) Flying-type] Pokémon fly under their own power) and some kind of magical power. Psychic possibly refers to his ability to know a child's activities and behavior, including when they are {{w|Santa_Claus_Is_Comin%27_to_Town| sleeping or awake}}, implying a psychic ability to read minds. | + | :A reference to {{w|Pokémon}}. The {{w|Gameplay_of_Pokémon#Pok%C3%A9mon_types|type}} of a Pokémon describes and determines its abilities (including attacks), affinities, and general nature. In most stories Santa Claus rides a sled pulled by flying reindeer (all other [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flying_(type) Flying-type] Pokémon fly under their own power) and some kind of magical power. Psychic possibly refers to his ability to know a child's activities and behavior, including when they are {{w|Santa_Claus_Is_Comin%27_to_Town| sleeping or awake}}, implying a psychic ability to read minds. In the Pokémon Go Christmas event which began on December 22nd a new Christmas Pokémon was released, [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Delibird_(Pok%C3%A9mon) Delibird] which looks a lot like Santa Claus, with a tail it holds in its hand so it looks like a bag of presents. It can actually attack with an attack type called "Present", and is known to share the food it stores in its tail, like a real Santa. Also the most known Pokémon, {{w|Pikachu}} appeared in a Santa Claus hat. |
'''Plural: "Santa"''' | '''Plural: "Santa"''' | ||
− | :The plural form of 'Santa' conveniently parallels that of 'reindeer' (as well as those of | + | :The plural form of 'Santa' conveniently parallels that of 'reindeer' (as well as those of several ''Pokemon'' creatures). In real life, "santa" means "saint" in most {{w|Romance languages}}. However "santa" is not plural in any of these languages (for example, in Portuguese the proper plural would be "santos"). Under the most common English approach for making a plural noun, Santa would have a plural of "Santas". Taking "Santa Claus" as a separate noun, the plural would be "Santa Clauses". |
'''Active warrants: 5''' | '''Active warrants: 5''' | ||
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:However, a ship's flag state exercises regulatory control over the vessel and is required to inspect it regularly, certify the ship's equipment and crew, and issue safety and pollution prevention documents. One suspects that this does '''not''', in fact, happen regularly with Santa's sleigh. Also, as a ''flying'' sleigh, the registry for ''ocean-going'' vessels is not applicable. Instead, it would be registered as an aircraft, with the FAA (in the U.S.), EASA (in Europe), or the equivalent in another country. Civilian aircraft have their registration number painted on their tails, but are not required to display a "flag". (However, U.S. Airways used a stylized version of a U.S. flag as a corporate logo prior to its merger with American Airlines.) | :However, a ship's flag state exercises regulatory control over the vessel and is required to inspect it regularly, certify the ship's equipment and crew, and issue safety and pollution prevention documents. One suspects that this does '''not''', in fact, happen regularly with Santa's sleigh. Also, as a ''flying'' sleigh, the registry for ''ocean-going'' vessels is not applicable. Instead, it would be registered as an aircraft, with the FAA (in the U.S.), EASA (in Europe), or the equivalent in another country. Civilian aircraft have their registration number painted on their tails, but are not required to display a "flag". (However, U.S. Airways used a stylized version of a U.S. flag as a corporate logo prior to its merger with American Airlines.) | ||
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'''9th in Presidential Line of Succession''' | '''9th in Presidential Line of Succession''' | ||
− | :The {{w|United_States_presidential_line_of_succession|Presidential Line of Succession}} specifies the order in which persons may become or act as {{w|President of the United States}} if the incumbent President becomes incapacitated, dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Having Santa as the 9th in that order would place him above the {{w|United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture}}. An alternative interpretation would hold that Santa '''is''' the present Secretary of Agriculture, {{w| | + | :The {{w|United_States_presidential_line_of_succession|Presidential Line of Succession}} specifies the order in which persons may become or act as {{w|President of the United States}} if the incumbent President becomes incapacitated, dies, resigns, or is removed from office. Having Santa as the 9th in that order would place him above the {{w|United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture}}. An alternative interpretation would hold that Santa '''is''' the present Secretary of Agriculture, {{w|Sonny Perdue}}. |
− | :Assuming | + | :Assuming Sonny Perdue is not Santa Claus, Santa is likely ineligible for the Presidency, as most origin stories of Santa have him a natural-born citizen of a European country (or of Turkey) rather than the United States. Alternately, Santa might be old enough to qualify under the "citizen at the time of the adoption of this constitution" clause, although in light of the information that Santa is actually an arthropod and/or a vampire (see below), his status as an American citizen is dubious. |
'''Not technically an insect — actually an arthropod''' | '''Not technically an insect — actually an arthropod''' | ||
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'''Only known vampire able to enter house without being invited''' | '''Only known vampire able to enter house without being invited''' | ||
− | :In traditional vampire folklore, a vampire | + | :In traditional vampire folklore, a vampire cannot enter an abode without an invitation from the owner of the same. Santa, however, seems to be able to enter houses even without explicit invitation (although plenty of children do welcome him, either via written notes or by their general sentiments), so if he is a vampire he is the exception to that rule. This juxtaposes interestingly with the previous point about his arthropod nature. |
:His being a vampire is perhaps related to his dressing all in red, and alleged immortality. | :His being a vampire is perhaps related to his dressing all in red, and alleged immortality. | ||
'''Works with Alexa''' | '''Works with Alexa''' | ||
− | :May | + | :May mean that Alexa (Amazon's virtual assistant) is Santa's colleague, that Santa uses Alexa in his work, or Santa is functionally compatible with Alexa. A common advertisement states that a product is compatible with Amazon's smart device, Alexa. But it could also be a play on the idea or fear that Alexa may be used to spy on people from the privacy of their own homes, much like what is claimed of Santa ("he sees you when you're sleeping, [...]"). |
'''Ribbed''' | '''Ribbed''' | ||
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:As a result of his diet (see above), alleged criminal activity (ditto), species ambiguity, and occupation, Santa would find the cost of liability insurance quite high. He instead chooses to 'go bare' and operate without any. | :As a result of his diet (see above), alleged criminal activity (ditto), species ambiguity, and occupation, Santa would find the cost of liability insurance quite high. He instead chooses to 'go bare' and operate without any. | ||
− | The title text states that as a result of intervention | + | The title text states that prior as a result of intervention that the diet is now 20% milk & cookies, implying that previously it was 100% Reindeer. If he is indeed a vampire, it is odd that Santa could survive on a diet of reindeer and milk & cookies, being that vampires supposedly need human blood to survive. Of course, his entering without being invited already shows Santa to be a highly unusual vampire. Additionally, it is possible that he consumes ''reindeer'' blood as part of his reindeer diet (vampires living off animal blood is not unheard of in modern fantasy). Related to that may be the observation that he seems to develope "nutritional deficiencies" when going below 80% reindeer meat, as that would logically result in him consuming less blood and thus starvation because of his vampiric nature. |
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
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:Diet: 80% Reindeer | :Diet: 80% Reindeer | ||
:Liability Insurance: None | :Liability Insurance: None | ||
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{{comic discussion}} | {{comic discussion}} | ||
[[Category:Christmas]] | [[Category:Christmas]] | ||
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[[Category:Animals]] | [[Category:Animals]] |