tlhIngan-Hol Archive: Tue Aug 12 09:05:15 1997
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Explain cultural references
- From: "Robyn Stewart" <[email protected]>
- Subject: Explain cultural references
- Date: Tue, 12 Aug 1997 09:04:03 PST
- Organization: NLK Consultants, Inc.
- Priority: normal
SuStel wrote, without explaining for the benefit of those who don't
watch American TV:
> I haven't even finished reading the whole book
> yet, but I just had to go on about this new word which I thought
> was terribly funny:
>
> "A general, all-purpose knife that seems to be able to cut through
> practically anything is a {'aqnaw}."
On American television late at night there are show-length
commercials advertising dubious products, very often "Ginsu" knifes
which are said to cut anything, with demonstrators sawing through
bits of pipe and wood, and then showing the continued sharpness of
the knives by cutting a tomato.
The cry of the announcers is often "ACT NOW!" implying that this
'wonderful' product won't be available if you don't.
- Qov, self-appointed cultural interpreter.