A Plethora of Playfulness... perhaps.

It is remarkable the extent to which language has changed over the past couple of centuries. Perhaps this is not always evident in more formal prose, or, that which is commonly read - indeed, I would venture so far as to suggest that it is commonly read precisely because it is commonly understood, and can therefore not be regarded as a representative sample. But, occasionally, one chances upon text redolent with archaic expression, or subtly relevant so specifically to situation - such as may happen, for example, when one reads a publication less formal in nature, such as a letter in a newspaper, perhaps; or even that most situated of text, wit - and one is in an instant struck by the transience of language.

Not that I profess to demonstrate such mind-blowing revelation here. Perhaps the limitations of my knowledge of the depth of the pegtop and the pugilist (see below!) is an indictment against my wit, rather than an expression of any deeper linguistic trend. Judge for yourselves, my people! Judge! (What could be more useful than judgement based on ignorance, against something irrelevant to, or at least removed from, daily life!?) But, in the words of my dear Miss Fanny Price, you will think I rhapsodise. And so, without further ado...

Gosh, what a lot of acknowledgements we are due today!

First, the celebratory host for the evening - our charming picture is excitingly titled The happy day and is part of the David Elliott theatrical postcard collection; you can find it on the NLA digital collections website here.

Now, for our jokes -   
Taxis and tripe - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11284515 - kicking us off is The Argus, from Thursday 30 November 1939, page 10
Shoes and racist clocks - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37709015 - are featured in the charming Western Mail, on Thursday 4 October 1934, page 6S
The door bell - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71450535 - is in the Worker (that blue-collar association accounts for the sexism, right?) from Monday 2 November 1942, page 10
The fireman and bad eggs - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37550791 - see The Longreach Leader from Saturday 18 June 1938, page 28
Homework and another fireman - clearly they're an hilarious bunch - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37358374 - this is again in that glorious publication, The Longreach Leader, who clearly are a bit obsessed with firemen; see the edition of Saturday 10 October 1936, page 3S
Puns on prams, and the scrapbook - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37938538 - see the Perth paper Western Mail, Thursday 5 September 1940, page 26
Crafty chemists - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56741361 - I refer you to the distinctively named Advertiser; Friday 7 July 1933, page 3
The well-travelled umbrella - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37714215 - this is yet another from Perth's
Western Mail, Thursday 30 August 1934, page 3S
And, finally my favourite - a pegtop, a pugilist, a dinner plate and a cricket bat (all go into a bar?) - seriously, I swear this be trolling! - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65461858 - this is from the beautiful Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Chronicle, Saturday 2 July 1864, page 3

History is Such a Joke

Without further column-filling waffle, I present to you the article* for today. See if you can spot the odd joke out:

Tell me, Remus, why did the chicken cross the road? Why Romulus, to escape the cholera, of course.

Believe me, I've got plenty more where this gem came from - and I promise to give an astounding entry in Truly Tasty Treats as soon as I can muster up the enthusiasm and/or ingredients!

* Today's article brought to you by the letters c and h and the number LXVI. Also contributing to the glory was our dear old Trove; a big round of applause to page 5 of The Argus, on 4 April 1860, for stealing this darling from the London Punch on our behalf. Anyone who would like to view this can do so at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5680020 - there's many a scandalous law notice on that page also.


The cranky emu is borrowed from the work c1822 by Angelo Biasioli that the NLA has given the imaginative title [Animals of New Holland] [Picture]; to see the emu and his bosom buddies - not telling you who - head on over to http://nla.gov.au/nla.pic-an5601630.