Favourite bit of Unseen Academicals (may contain spoilers)

[meerkat]

After I had read this three times it started to grow on me.

My favourite bits are the psuedo/Germanic titles of the books read by Nutt. Working some of them through gave me a few giggles.

Andy Shank was a brass stud that I recognised from my childhood days. We had one just like him at school (East End of London). We avoided him where ever possible and yes, he ended up in prison (hurray!).

Love Pepe though. After knowing some gay men at the ROH covent Garden, he really stands out! And although he could be a nasty bit of work deep down, he is a good guy. I cheered to myself when he 'saw to' Andy!

[Doughnut Jimmy]

Pushing this soley for the reason that someone explains the rowing joke to me (we had a horrible translator for the book in german)

Umm, what rowing joke? Can you tell us where in the book it is

[Alrik Fassbauer]

What "rowing joke" do you mean ?

I've read the English book, maybe I can help ?

[meerkat]

There is no rowing is there? Sure there isn't?

Oh, wait, Ridcully mentions he got a brown for the university (as opposed to a blue that the RW rowers get! Only the UU ran on the river!

[The Mad Collector]

Or maybe it is the bit about Bengo Macarona when Ridcully remembers old Postule

‘Angry wife, as I heard it,’ said Ponder.
‘Oh, he was married, was he?’
‘Not to my knowledge, Archchancellor.’
‘I don’t think I quite understand,’ said Ridcully.
Ponder, who was not at all at home in this area, said very slowly, ‘She was the wife of another man… I, er, believe, sir.’
‘But I—’
To Ponder’s relief, light dawned on Ridcully’s huge face. ‘Oh, you mean he was like Professor Hayden. We used to have a name for him… ’
Ponder braced himself.
‘Snakes. Very keen on them, you know. Could talk for hours about snakes with a side order of lizards. Very keen.’
‘I’m glad you feel like that, Archchancellor, because I know that a number of the students—’
‘And then there was old Postule, who was in the rowing team. Coxed us through two wonderful years.’ Ponder’s expression did not change, but for a few moments his face went pink and shiny. ‘A lot of that sort of thing about, apparently,’ said Ridcully. ‘People make such a fuss. Anyway, in my opinion there’s not enough love in the world. Besides, if you didn’t like the company of men you wouldn’t come here in the first place. I say! Well done, that man!’ This was because, in the absence of Ridcully’s attention, the footballers had at last started their own kick-about and some quite fancy footwork was emerging. ‘Yes, what?’

[Tonyblack]

I remember Dave Hayden posting on the CA board that Terry had contacted him to ask if he could use him in the book.

[meerkat]

oh, as in an argy-bargy! I thought Meebs meant as in boats etc etc!

[LilMaibe]

I meant rowing as in whatever someone was refering to some pages back I'm lost

[Doughnut Jimmy]

I believe UA is the first TP book with a gay character (correct me if I'm wrong). The joke about rowing made me laugh.

Do you mean this comment lilmaibe?

[LilMaibe]

*nods* yes.
I thught of the quote Mad agve and I never really got why exactly Ponster is blushing there

[Tonyblack]

*nods* yes.
I thught of the quote Mad agve and I never really got why exactly Ponster is blushing there

I think it's this bit specifically:

‘And then there was old Postule, who was in the rowing team. Coxed us through two wonderful years.'

Please don't make me spell it out.

[LilMaibe]

Wait, it IS pronounced like that...?
Why, thanks a lot, now I have a new oneliner for my fanfiction Dx
(highlight below if you want to read it)

"Stibbons, just who is putting all those dirty thought into your head?!" Ridcully didn't turn, but he had the odd feeling that, behind him, Courtsbridge and Turnipseed were slowly and awkwardly raising their hands.

[The Mad Collector]

Yes, I deliberately didn't try to explain it, just put the relevant line in italics

[Tonyblack]

It helps if you are from the Carry On films generation.

[The Mad Collector]

It would be tricky to translate though so I can see why non-English versions could be confusing at this point.