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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
I forget the exact details, but I believe the expression dates from the 18th century and a period of rivalry between two London theatre impresarios, where one had built up expectation in the public breast regarding special sound effects to be featured in the opening night of a new opera, only to have his rival use them first after dastardly subornation of the sound effects artist.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
I think it was a production of King Lear that had stolen the thunder, but a lot earlier than that... hmm, can't recall the details, think it was James Dennis who came up with the phrase - loudly protesting in the middle of the show!
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Hmm, same story with variations in the venue? Starting to sound almost like an urban legend. What!? Bartleby preserving an urban legend!? Never!!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,156 |
microfiche...."You mean like Uncle Jim's baby guppies?"
See, I wouldn't have thought of that, because we say "micro-feesh" not "micro-fish". What are others' preferences? I wonder if this has to do with the presence of French in everyday life here in Canada. I suspect that whether you understand French or not it ends up affecting some things, like pronunciation!
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 279 |
Howye fokes
Accorden ta me trusty Tedasaurus this is exactly what happened:
As Maverick pinted out there was once a playwrite and critic be the name of John Dennis (1567 - 1734). Anyways, he invented a new method of stimulaten thunder claps on the stage. He used this new method in his play "Appius and Virgina" (who, btw, was nick-named Virgin fer short - but not fer long).
Well, ta cut a long story short - wasn't the play a bit of a flop. A while later when Mr Dennis was looken at a perforemince of "Macbeth" didn't he notice that they had used an improved version of his thunder effects.
With a fierce thunderous look flashen across his furious face he says, "Dam them! They will not let me play run, but they steal me thunder."
Be seein ya
GallantTed
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Joined: Apr 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,065 |
I'm a feesher as well.
Bingley
Bingley
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,757 |
Apparently the Mormons are feeshers of men
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