Re: HUMOR?: fruitbats (wasRe: Butterflies)

--- In conlang@yahoogroups.com, tomhchappell <tomhchappell@Y...> wrote:

Another message from Charlie?  Sorry, folks, I can't sleep!

>Help me fill in the fourth term of this proportion.
>Fruit flies like a banana.
>Time flies like an arrow.
>Fruit bats like a papaya.
>Time bats like ... ?
I don't believe it can be filled in, at least in the clever sense of
the first pair.  The cleverness of the first pair depends on the use
of "flies" as, first, a noun, then, as a verb.  The first one is a
literal expression.  The second is an "anthropomorphic"
(theriomorphic?) expression that gives time the ability to act as an
animal, equating the swiftness of time's passing with the flight of an
arrow (which can also fly).

The first expression of the second pair is, again, a literal
expression.  (IMO, both first expressions are a bit forced, however,
since I think in English we would normally say "bananas"
and "papayas.")

However, the second expression of the second pair makes no sense
whatsoever.  Time bats like an eyelash?  What does it mean to say that
time flutters?  Time bats like an eye?  What does it mean to say that
time is surprised.  Time bats like a Los Angeles Dodger?  (Lord, I
hope I got that team right!!)  What does it mean to say that time hits
a ball?

There!  Now maybe I can get some sleep!

Charlie
http://wiki.frath.net/user:caeruleancentaur

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