Of course she's a snob, her name is Cronk
My favorite part about today's strip is that it's from "No Name Please" in "Somewhere, U.S.A." Clearly someone submitted this suggestion in a fit of guilt.
And it's right that this person felt guilty. In this day and age, I don't particularly expect people to be carting over casseroles when I move to a new place. I recently moved and when I saw my new neighbors, I introduced myself and said hello. But I don't regard those who didn't rush over, roast in tow, to be snobs. It'd be nice, but I'm not taking it personally.
I'm particularly curious about how long this woman has lived in this new place. I'd guess that it hasn't been terribly long; otherwise, the "snobby" neighbor probably would've apologized for her tardiness.
My second favorite part of the strip is the expression of the two women the complainer is whining to. They seem surprised. In my world, it's because they're amazed at the complainer's rant.
And has anyone heard the phrase "on the pan" before?
posted by Barb @ 9:55 AM
15 comments
15 Comments:
"On the Pan" - Yeah, it's in "The Women"! Best film ever made about bitchy gossiping harpies. Hm.
I realized from reading TDIET - I, too, hate it, but it's like a trainwreck you just can't take your eyes off - that this "Pam Violette" from Milford, Conn., is a frequent contributor. Some relation? Some TDIET groupie? Something to think about.
Barb,
Nice work. And I will from this day forward use "on the pan" as often as humanly possible, appropriate or not.
This page describes the phrase, "on the pan":
http://www.translationdirectory.com/article740_german_english_glossary.htm
German-English Glossary of Idioms
"etwas auf der Pfanne haben"
correct meaning: to be at an advantage (literal translation: to have smth. on the frying pan)
(Middle Ages) While using a flintlock musket, the gunpowder was lying on a pan. The one who had gunpowder on the pan was at an advantage.
Great blog -- TDIET is such crap.
"On the pan"? That's a new one on me. And it was a tad presumptuous of the gal next door to assume her new neighbor is a carnivore. But hey, nice gesure, all the same.
Tunneled my way here from Josh. Never heard of "on the pan" before either.
But who calls women "dames" these days. Last time I heard that was from my dad's old South Pacific LP.
Also, if she's a new neighbor, then who are the other two hens she's grousing to? Wouldn't they be new neighbors too?
I've never heard "on the pan" before, but then I haven't seen "They'll Do It Every Time" since I last read the Plymout(Ind.)Light and Shopper (or whatever it was)many, many years ago. I'm shocked it's still being published, and deeply reassured that it still sucks.
It's nice to know I'm not the only person who's become obsessed with this comic. Or maybe it's disturbing, I'm not really sure. Now, what I want to know is why is she serving her guests a giant pyramid of butter. Also, is there some middle american custom of bringing roasts to your neighbors that I'm unaware of? I admit I've never lived in the so-called "real" America, so perhaps I missed this custom.
I bet her guests will be happy to have actual food instead of what is apparently a pile of cheese balls and some tea.
Anon, thanks for the tipoff on the frequent contributor. Frighteningly enough, I now might have to check the archives. Which will just upset me more.
And even when I took German and we did a unit on idioms, we never learned that one. But thanks!
Anon, assuming you mean "Pat Violette" from the previous day's panel - she is the artist's daughter.
Forget "on the pan". Who calls women "dames"? Frank Sinatra. He's over a hundred and he's been dead for years. In fact, Ol' Blue Eyes has a lot in common with TDIET in those two regards.
Good lord, I grew up in Milford, CT. To think I might have passed Pat V. in the street.
I notice that Mrs. Cronk didn't enter through the front door. Why is that? Is she ashamed to be seen going to her new neighbors house? And why did she bring a roast? Is it because she thinks they are too poor to feed themselves? Sounds a bit snooty and snobbish if you ask me. Mrs. Nonameplease doesn't need your 'charity', you pompous old-money jackanape!
"On the pan" is a real old-timey expression (no doubt reflecting the advanced age of the artist) -- today we might say "rake over the coals". WordOrigins.com notes that diner waitresses once used "slaughter on the pan" to order up a porterhouse steak.
Post a Comment
<< Home